Kennedy: No financial disclosure now

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Caroline Kennedy, who is being considered for a U.S. Senate seat in New York, declined to answer financial disclosure questions, The New York Times said Monday.

Kennedy has asked New York Gov. David Paterson to appoint her to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate when Clinton joins the incoming Obama administration as secretary of state.

Noting that if Kennedy were running for election to the Senate she would have to disclose publicly information about assets, debt and other financial matters, the newspaper said it posed such questions to her. However, Kennedy, through a spokesman, said she would not make such information public unless she is appointed to the Senate.

The questions submitted by the newspaper cover such ethical and legal areas as companies in which she has an interest and whether she has ever been charged with a crime.

"If Governor Paterson were to choose Caroline, she would, of course, comply with all disclosure requirements," said spokesman Stefan Friedman.

Paterson's office told the Times whoever the governor appoints will be subject to the a background check that any Cabinet-level official in state government must undergo -- including a criminal background check, employment and education verification and a review of tax returns.