The U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee voted to officially urge Attorney General Eric Holder to consider criminal charges against former IRS official Lois Lerner. The committee’s recommendation is based on evidence it has uncovered about her alleged activities encouraging IRS agents to give extra scrutiny to dozens of conservative non-profit organizations seeking tax-exempt status.
The committee’s referral letter lays out three specific ways in which Lerner may have violated the law. The committee charges that Lerner improperly used her position to influence action against conservative groups, while showing leniency toward similar liberal groups. The committee also charges that Lerner knowingly gave misleading statements to the Treasury Department Inspector General when the scandal was being investigated. Thirdly, the committee says that Lerner used her personal email address to conduct official business and put confidential taxpayer information at risk.
Meanwhile, ranking Democrat Elijah Cummings is under pressure over his own alleged involvement in the scandal. His testimony appears to be running interference, attempting to divert attention from the facts in the case. In response, the committee released email content from Cummings own staff who were doing their own investigation of a conservative organization, True the Vote, a watch group that is concerned about illegal voting by non-citizens and illegal immigrants. Republicans accused Cummings of not disclosing to the committee his staff’s dealings with the IRS and his own complicity in targeting conservative groups.
The revelations have lit a match to the tinder in the committee with allegation and counter allegation. The Republicans allege that the facts reveal that Lerner was heavily involved in denying equal access (a core principle of the American Constitution) and that democratic leaders are obstructing the investigation. Democrats on the other hand accuse Republicans of attempting to vilify the Obama administration. They also say that allege groups were inappropriately targeted equally, an assertion not supported by the facts.
The justice department also responded by saying the committee selectively choose information to accuse Lerner while ignoring other material. It also said the letter was part of a Republican “year-long effort” to show the White House was involved in the scandal.
Meanwhile, the House Oversight Committee voted separately to hold Lerner in contempt of Congress for twice refusing to answer committee’s questions about the IRS Scandal. That action will eventually be voted upon by the full house.
“President Barack Obama fired Steven Miller, head of the IRS, who apologized in testimony to Ways and Means Committee, calling it “horrible customer service,” and at least three other IRS workers have been placed on administrative leave.
The prophetic point is that every principle of the U.S. Constitution will be repudiated. See Testimonies for the Church Vol. 5, page 451.
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