Sunday, June 02, 2013

Chipping Away - IRS Scandal Update

A hearty Ushanka Tip to Congressman Issa's committee for pursuing the truth in the IRS scandal.

News this weekend:

1) 88 IRS staffers are named as possible participants in the tax deferment abuse of over 500 tea party groups (there are other abuses such as Romney donors and yours truly, and we expect more to come out)

2) IRS Staffer testimony, as reported by Daily Mail:

'[The] allegation has been made, I think as you have seen in lots of press reports, that there were two rogue agents in Cincinnati that are sort of responsible for all of the issues that we have been talking about today.,' the investigator noted. 'What do you think about those allegations?'

'It's impossible.,' the employee replied. 'As an agent we are controlled by many, many people.  We have to submit many, many reports.  So the chance of two agents being rogue and doing things like that could never happen.'

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'[W]e didn't do anything wrong,' the agent said, according to the partial transcript. 'We followed directions based on other people telling us what to do.'

Did those directions came from Washington, D.C.? the investigator wanted to know.

'I believe so,' was the answer.

More interviews with more IRS staffers are scheduled for this week.  We'll be watching for two key developments.  Either:

1) More IRS staffers taking the 5th to avoid self-incrimination, and/or
2) One or more whistleblowers contact Congressman Issa directly.

Whistle Blowers.  Don't count on any.

One comment about whistleblowers in this government - You'll recall that exactly 2 whistleblowers came forward out of the ATF with information on Fast and Furious, the ATF program that has funneled weapons to the Mexican cartels and has led to over 300 murdered Mexican citizens and 2 US agents.

That is two whistle blowers in a department of 5000 agents.  We've been part of organizations of that size, and know from first-hand experience that shenanigans like the Fast and Furious operation are both known by many and known to be illegal.  0.004% of the ATF came forward then. 

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