The financial statement filed by the Office of Government Ethics reveals that former South Dakota senator, Tom Daschle earned more than $5.2 million - including the $220,000 million over the last two years - by advising hospitals and insurers, and working in industries like energy, real estate, and telecommunications.

The finances of the former Senator - who President Obama has named his Secretary of Health and Human Services - are under examination as he allegedly did not pay his taxes properly. Daschle recently filed an amended tax return, paying $140,000 in back taxes and interest.

According to Jenny Backus, a spokeswoman for Daschle, the large sums he was paid in speaking fees from health care interest groups are no impediments to the health care reform that Obama has chosen him to lead.

The substantial amounts Daschle received for speeches he delivered included $40,000 for two speeches for America's Health Insurance Plans; $30,000 for CSL Behring; $16,000 for the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy; and $15,000 for the Principal Life Insurance Co.

Backus said: "He welcomed every opportunity to make his case to the American public at large and the health industry in particular that America can't afford to ignore the health care crisis any longer."

Democratic committee member, Senator John Kerry too said that though Daschle had made an "innocent" mistake, it would not "affect one iota his ability to do the job."