You may have seen him on tv or the big screen cracking down on Healthcare and America’s corrupt government. Recently, docu-film maker, Michael Moore, has been playing a significant role in the Occupy Wall Street protests. However, he is now being criticized due to claims that they his wealth and luxurious lifestyle contradict his role in the protests. Is Michael Moore apart of the 1% as well? Continue reading and video after the jump.
He is the booming voice of the Occupy protests, encouraging activists to continue their battle against the wealthy one per cent of Americans.
But it seems left-wing documentary maker Michael Moore has been uncharacteristically quiet about one thing: his own wealth.
While Moore has denied he is among the top-earners in the country, tax records show he owns an extensive property in one of the country’s most elite communities.
Moore owns a large holiday home on Torch Lake, Michigan in addition to his pricey Manhattan residence.
The spacious 10,000 sq ft property is a far cry from the scene of tightly-packed tents near Wall Street in New York City.
The sprawling timber property has large bay windows, a number of small turrets, a private drive and decking that leads right to the water’s edge.
It is located on the southeastern shore of Torch Lake, regarded by locals as the ‘third most beautiful lake in the world’.
Moore’s neighbours include Hollywood stars such as Bruce Willis, Madonna and Tim Allen.
He also shares the stunning views with corporate executives loathed by Occupy protestors, including ex-Chrysler Chairman Bob Eaton, according to The Michigan View.
Houses on the lake cost as much as $3million.
Moore originally bought the 2,500 sq ft home before expanding to two surrounding lots, according to local real estate sources.
Public records show the property in the name of Moore and his wife, Kathleen Glynn, and notes its taxable value at nearly $1 million.
Local real estate agents estimate the real value of the compound at $2 million, according to The Michigan View.
It places the property near the top one per cent of home values in the Forest Home Township and in the state of Michigan.
The township is roughly 98 per cent white residents, according to statistics from 2009.
Moore, who has toured the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations across the country, has previously defended his wealth.
He has claimed he never set out to write a book or film with the intention of making money.
On his blog, he wrote: ‘I do very well – and for a documentary filmmaker, I do extremely well. That, too, drives conservatives bonkers. “You’re rich because of capitalism!” they scream at me.
‘Um, no. Didn’t you take Econ 101? Capitalism is a system, a pyramid scheme of sorts, that exploits the vast majority so that the few at the top can enrich themselves more. I make my money the old school, honest way by making things.’
Talking with Piers Morgan about Occupy, he joked: ‘I’m here talking against my own interests.’
He added: ‘I’m not in the one per cent. For a documentary filmmaker I do very well. There’s a big difference between a documentary and Avatar.’
In another interview on Tuesday, Morgan said: ‘I need you to admit the bleeding obvious. I need you to sit here and say, “I’m in the one per centâ€, because it’s important.’
Moore refused, saying: ‘I’m not.’
He said that, even though he is wealthy, ‘I am devoting my life to those who have less and who have been crapped upon by the system.
‘That’s how I spend my time, my energy, my money on trying to up-end this system that I think is a system of violence, it’s a system that’s unfair to the average working person of this country.’
