Bunning Not Making a Mint from Autographs

Politicians enjoy plenty of perks. Full disclosure is not one of them.

A Congressman lives life in the public eye, right down to how much money they earn and from what sources. Finances are a matter of public record and in the case of Kentucky senator Jim Bunning, those records include income from card shows and private signings. He's doing OK, signing for just a few hours each year, but he's one Hall of Famer who won't be living in Maui off of the extra money.

According to personal financial disclosure reports released last week, Bunning's card show income funnels into The Jim Bunning Foundation, an apparently simple bit of record keeping that reveals not only his autograph income but also what he's doing with the money. Collectors will be glad to know that much of it is going to charities Bunning supports.

Records indicate Bunning earned $50,663 from signing autographs last year, but donated $16,350 of the money to charity. He apparently pocketed $20,000 as a "salary".

Bunning's card show income for 2006 included the following card shows:

• Chantilly, VA $8415
• White Plains NY $6540
• New Jersey $6255
• Cleveland $6100
• Texas $6000

He also made $12,480 from private signings, $4913 from fees associated with the Hall of Fame licensing agreement and $60 fom individual signing fees. The private signing income Bunning made dropped from $40,640 in 2006 and $23,503 in 2005.