Why is public record driving score so low?

[Anonymous]

I have no past due accounts, a 13 year credit history and good ratios.  My score is in the low 700's because I have a tax lien which was put in place in 1996, and released in 2002.  I owed the IRS money on employee taxes, and they arranged a payment schedule of $100 per month.  I never missed a payment during that time, and there was no mark on my credit report.  But when I finished paying what I owed thim, on 11/2002, the "Release of Lien" was reported to the credit bureau, and my credit score went down.  It has now been 6 years, and I have a perfect payment history - not a single 30-day late mark.  But his one public record is driving down my score.  Any ideas about why such an old record is having such a bad affect on my FICO?

[smallfry]

Got one of them too. Once it drops off you'll be golden. Look at it this way. Credit scoring is a lot like the male role in a marriage. Do all the right things and if you're lucky you get a peck on the cheek and a pat on the head. Screw up and you get a letter from a lawyer.

[MidnightVoice]

In a very clean report one major baddie can be big - see my old thread about the effect of a 6.75 year old collection on FICO scores! 

[PRILEY]

I know the feeling. I have one thats paid and won't come off till 3-12  everything else is good. Seems unfair since I'm a C Corp