Booker tax returns show he earned more than $540,000 last year and donated $440,000 of it

Democratic U.S. Sen. Cory Booker made more than half a million dollars in 2013 and donated $440,000 in cash, property and stock to charity, according to new tax returns released Monday by his campaign.

The documents show Booker earned $540,341 last year. More than $410,000 came from speaking fees, but Booker also drew a salary of $114,000 for serving most of the year as mayor of Newark and brought in $29,000 as a senator.

He donated more than $440,000, including a property he sold for $1 to the Newark Now Financial Empowerment Center, which he helped found.

Booker bought the Court Street property for $175,000 and intended to fix up the building and move in. But four years later, a no-loitering sign hung above the entrance and neighbors complained it was in disarray. He donated the property as a way to give back to Newark, he said at the time.

Other recipients of his donations include churches, schools, a food bank, the Dominican Parade and the American Cancer Society.

His campaign staff says Booker has sold all his stock holdings since becoming a senator.

Booker has now released 16 years' worth of returns. His campaign is challenging his opponent, Republican Jeff Bell, to do the same.

In July, Bell released tax returns that showed he and his wife, Rosalie O'Connell, had an income of $341,000 in 2013.

Bell worked primarily for the American Principles Project, a conservative group. He also received money as a consultant and was given $50,000 as a lifetime achievement award from the Lehrman Institute, which backs the gold standard policy that Bell supports.

Bell and his wife donated $17,300 to charity, with the biggest gift — $12,350 — going to Holy Spirit Church.

At the time Bell released his information, he challenged Booker to release his 2013 tax returns.

On Twitter on Monday, Bell's campaign criticized Booker for the way he released his finances — giving journalists two hours to look at the documents. Bell's 2013 tax return is posted on his campaign website.