Timothy Geithner failed to pay taxes over $34,000

Timothy Geithner, chosen for the post of Treasury Secretary by President-elect Barack Obama failed to pay federal taxes worth over 34,000 dollars for several years, a media report says.

According to The New York Times, Geithner who is the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York had "failed to pay federal taxes of over $34,000 over several years early this decade."

He also "faces questions about the employment papers of a former household employee, suddenly complicating what had seemed to be an easy confirmation process in the Senate," it said.

The report noted that Geithner huddled privately with members of the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday afternoon to explain that he had now paid the back taxes and interest.

Further, the daily added that Senate Democratic leaders quickly released statements of support lest the controversy threaten the nomination.

"Two senior Senate Republicans likewise gave endorsements, echoing the argument of Obama transition officials that Geithner's failures were innocent mistakes or technicalities," the report added.

The New York Times pointed out that the Finance Committee chairman, Senator Max Baucus of Montana, a Democrat, tentatively scheduled a hearing on Geithners nomination for Friday, though it would be delayed until next week if any members of the panel objected.

Any delay would raise the prospect that Geithner might not be confirmed in time to take office on Tuesday, when Obama would be sworn in, the daily said.