Q: Many veterans are upset at the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that decriminalized lying about receiving medals for heroism. I wonder whether any Supreme Court justices are veterans? — Tim Conner, Austell
A: Justices Samuel Alito, Stephen Breyer and Anthony Kennedy have served in the military. Alito joined ROTC at Princeton, served four months of active duty and was an officer in the Army Reserve from 1975 until receiving an honorable discharge in 1980, according to The Washington Post. Breyer was in the U.S. Army in 1957, according to The New York Times. Kennedy was a private in the California Army National Guard in 1961, the year he graduated from Harvard Law School, according to Biography.com. Former Justice John Paul Stevens, who retired in June 2010, was the last justice with wartime military experience, according to "Justice John Paul Stevens and Judicial Deference in Military Matters," a report written by law professor Eugene R. Fidell, a former president of the National Institute of Military Justice. Stevens won a Bronze Star for his service in the U.S. Navy from 1941 to 1945.
Q: Will the lady bus monitor be liable for any taxes on the money given to her? I'm sure most, if not all, are below the limit for tax-free gifts to an individual. — Tom Cotton, Senoia
A: Donors are typically responsible for paying gift taxes, according to IRS.gov, so Karen Klein likely won't have to pay taxes on the more than $600,000 raised for her through the online donation site Indiegogo.com. "Under special arrangements, the donee may agree to pay the tax instead," the website states.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We'll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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