The center of a political storm, the IRS director of proxy objects conservative groups in Washington (AP) - Wednesday vowed that she did nothing wrong, did not violate any law, Congress never lied. She then refused to answer further questions MPs on the grounds that her Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate himself.
In one of the most electric moments, because the IRS dispute broke out nearly two weeks ago, Lois Lerner unwaveringly - but simple - to defend himself before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. But she refused to say anything in the face of a federal investigation citing legal advice.
MPs have complained angrily, Lerner and other senior IRS officials did not inform them, conservative groups singled out, even though lawmakers repeatedly requested from the IRS after hearing complaints from local Tea Party groups.
Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation murky events in 2010 and 2012 election campaigns, he said, it is becoming a potential violation of civil rights. IRS officials said that Lerner did not tell them nearly a year later, she learned that the agency improperly singled out her work for additional review of conservative groups, when they apply for tax-exempt status.
In the relentless criticism - most strongly condemns the inappropriate and inexcusable Republicans than Democrats political governance and people - from U.S. President Barack Obama's government officials down.
Lerner IRS department for tax-exempt status, and the first meeting of disclosure against the law, who is responsible for that is the same. But she also talked about his Wednesday, sitting in the stern face of the Commission a list of witnesses.
"I did not do anything wrong," she said. "I did not violate any law, I did not violate any IRS rules or regulations, I do not have this or any other congressional committee false information."
Lerner count through a legislator, was asked 14 members of Congress or their staff revealed, has targeted groups. On Wednesday, lawmakers did not get a chance to ask Lerner.
Nine minutes later, she began to speak, Reina be forgiven, but the Committee Xidaleier Issa, R - California, he said he could still remember her. He and other Republicans said they believe that she confiscated her Fifth Amendment privilege not to testify to give opening remarks, she proclaimed her innocence, but several law professors were skeptical, they could have such a stick.
Issa later said he would consult, and then determine whether you want to call her again, I hope the decision by Congress early next month upcoming recess time, with other people - including her lawyers and attorneys house -.
, "Issa said:" She is a huge amount, she can tell us a fact witness.
Lerner leave early, missed six hours of barbecue, three other witnesses endured.
Third congressional hearings IRS controversy in the past week. Taken together, the current and former officials of the testimony that Lerner's action is consistent with them: Once the officials learned that conservative groups have been targeted, they said they definitely do is to stop the practice, but they are slow to tell superiors, if they do at all.
They did not tell Congress until Lerner himself in May 10 The legal seminar made public.
"Issa said," Think of more than a year, the IRS knows that it has inappropriate target groups, based on their political beliefs of Americans do not mention it. "It seems that there is a culture of insulation, non-repudiation of a higher priority than solving blatantly illegal."
Notably, they also did not show anything, and what are their hearing. No evidence of anyone other than the IRS, including the White House, the director of the agency to go after conservative groups. IRS than anyone knows, the group's goal, until a few weeks ago, the Inspector General released his report on the situation last week, there has been no evidence.
However, Obama's spokesman said Wednesday that the White House is facing a "legitimate criticism," Who knows transfer accounts, when they knew it.
The first press secretary Jay Carney said, Obama's senior lawyer knows that only a few weeks ago the IRS was investigating inspector general report was released. Later, he said, the chief staff and other senior officials knew.
"How do we deal with this have been some legitimate criticism" Carney said. "I said 'legitimate' because I mean it."
Reported that IRS agents began in Cincinnati office for the Tea Party and other conservative groups in March 2010 or April of extra scrutiny. To August 2010, "tea party" has become a "looking" or "BOLO" additional screening signs term sheet.
Lerner learned that in June 2011, after her split agents singled out group "Tea Party" and "Patriot" in the application for tax-exempt status, the report said. She ordered the agency scrapped immediately, but later evolved to include groups, promoting the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
"After this date, Ms. Lerner has 14 chances - Ways and Means Committee and the Committee of the direct and significant interactions - 14 different occasions, she can set the record straight, saying:" She chose not to do so, Rep. Jim Jordan, R Ohio.
Lerner, 62 years old, is a lawyer, joined the IRS in 2001. She said the federal government, which is already included in the Justice Department and the Federal Election Commission's work, in her 34-year career in the pride, she said, she is currently responsible for 900 workers and budget approaching $ 100 ten thousand U.S. dollars.
IRS officials said that for her actions she has faced no discipline. Acting Commissioner of a new division of labor for a period of 30 days for review.
J. Russell, the Treasury Inspector General George tax administration blamed poor management, letting agents improper for more than 18 months of conservative groups.
On Wednesday, he hinted that there may be more inspiration. He told the oversight committee, his office, because it was discovered other suspicious standard tax-exempt status screen application using a proxy. But he refused to elaborate.
"As we continue our review this matter, we have recently found that some of the other BOLOs raised concerns about political factors," said George. "I can not go into more details there at this time, because it is still incomplete.
Lerner's director said that they also kept in the dark for nearly a year. Those supervisors IRS Deputy Secretary Steven Miller, who later became head of agency. He was forced to resign last week.
Miller said he first learned that in May 2012, conservative groups have been singled out. He promptly told his boss, Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Douglas Shulman.
However, Shulman, for the second straight day, testified that he did not tell anyone because he was waiting at the Treasury or the White House audit findings by the agency's inspector general. IRS is part of the Ministry of Finance.
Shulman stand on the Wednesday, and press again to lawmakers why he did not say anything.
"At that time, I learned that this list, I think I am to take appropriate action, of course I was right, I still feel today," Shulman said.
Shulman, who was appointed by the President George · W · Bush in November to stay in his five-year term expires. When Miller became Acting Commissioner Shulman left.
In the spring of 2012, George, a Finance Ministry official said the Inspector General's Office is investigating a complaint by the conservative groups. However, George, did not disclose any details of what he has found, Deputy Minister of Finance, said Neal Wolin, who also testified Wednesday.
"He only told me that he had promised such audits, he did not provide any results to the fact that" Wolin testify. "I told him that he should follow the facts, wherever they lead me to tell him that our job is to stay out of the way and let him do his job."
Wolin said that he did not tell his superiors at the Treasury or the White House investigation.
 
 



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