Geithner's errors shouldn't disqualify him: Senator

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The chairman of the Senate Finance Committee said on Tuesday that Treasury Secretary-nominee Timothy Geithner had made some "serious" tax errors but that they did not rise to the level that would disqualify him for the Treasury post.

"Mr. Geithner made some errors on his tax returns. He corrected those errors as soon as they were brought to his attention," Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana told reporters after committee members met with Geithner to discuss the matter. "I believe that these areas, while serious, do not rise to the level of disqualification. He's an extremely competent man."

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier on Tuesday that Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, the top Republican on the committee that has jurisdiction over Geithner's nomination, had raised concerns over the nominee's failure to pay some taxes and the expiration of immigration papers for a housekeeper that worked for Geithner.

Grassley declined to comment following the meeting.

(Reporting by Patrick Rucker; Editing by Dan Grebler)