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From Forbes:
The IRS scandal started 587 days ago in May 2013, but it actually goes back years earlier. President Obama’s testy “not even a smidgen of corruption” remark to Fox News in February 2014 showed fatigue. There was simply no evidence that the IRS was used for political targeting, he made clear. Maybe, but here are 20 things every American taxpayer should know about it:
1.It really started in January 2010. In Citizens United, the Supreme Court found it unconstitutional to ban free speech by corporations, unions and other organizations.
2.In August 2010, the IRS distributed a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) list for Tea Party organizations applying for tax exempt status. Extra scrutiny, please.
3.In October 2010, IRS Exempt Organization chief Lois Lerner met with the DOJ about prosecuting conservative groups. Lerner or others at the IRS send voluminous taxpayer records to the FBI and DOJ, probably violating privacy laws. These documents may hold the key once we can see them.
4.By March 2012, amid reports of targeting, former IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman testifies there is “absolutely no targeting” by the IRS of conservative and/or Tea Party organizations.
5.On November 9, 2012, Mr. Shulman steps down as Commissioner, replaced by Steven Miller.
6.On May 10, 2013, during a bar meeting, Ms. Lerner admits targeting, calling it “absolutely incorrect, insensitive, and inappropriate.” Four days later, on May 14, 2013, the Inspector General issues a report confirming targeting. Attorney General Eric Holder announces an FBI investigation.
7.On May 15, 2013, Acting IRS Commissioner Steven Miller resigns. President Obama names Daniel Werfel Acting Commissioner. Mr. Miller and Inspector General J. Russell George testify to the House Ways and Means Committee.
8.On May 22, 2013, Ms. Lerner professes her innocence then takes the Fifth. Next day, she is placed on administrative leave.
9.On June 12, 2013, the IRS finally suspends BOLO lists for Tea Party names.
10.On June 20, 2013, the IRS pays $70 million in bonuses. Ms. Lerner receives $42,000; former Commissioner Miller receives $100,000.
11.On June 24, 2013, the IRS admits that “inappropriate criteria” were used for tax-exempt status. Next day, Democrats claim progressives were targeted too.
12.On September 24, 2013, Ms. Lerner’s retirement is announced, with full pension.
13.On February 3, 2014, President Obama tells Fox there’s “not a smidgen of corruption” at the IRS.
14.On March 11, 2014, the Committee on House Oversight and Reform issues a report on Lois Lerner.
15.On April 7, 2014, IRS Commissioner John Koskinen confirms there are six investigations: four by Congressional committees, one by the DOJ, one by the TIGTA. Over 250 IRS employees spend 100,000 hours, costing taxpayers at least $14 million.
16.On April 8, 2014, the Committee on House Oversight and Government Reform says it will pursue contempt charges against Ms. Lerner.
17.On May 7, 2014, the House of Representatives holds Ms. Lerner in contempt of Congress.
18.On June 13, 2014 (Friday the 13th!), the IRS first says it lost Ms. Lerner’s emails from 2009 to 2011. The IRS says hard drives and backups are destroyed, for 6 other IRS employees’ too. The IRS spent $10 million trying to recover them, but they are gone.
19.On September 22, 2014, Ms. Lerner breaks silence to Politico, says she is the victim.
20.In November-December 2014, the Inspector General recovers 30,000 backed up Lerner emails. In FOIA litigation, court ordered documents show that the DOJ met with Ms. Lerner in 2010 about conservative groups. The IRS and Inspector General decline to provide documents revealing taxpayer private data, though White House may have received them.
Not a smidgen of corruption my azz. Bunch of liars, crooks and obstructionists. Nice how the Gummint takes care of liars and crooks aint it?
Full retirement for lying and a Contempt of Congress charge plus a nice $42,000 Bonus!! Your tax money paid this worthless Cunning Underhanded Nasty Tramp.
The IRS scandal started 587 days ago in May 2013, but it actually goes back years earlier. President Obama’s testy “not even a smidgen of corruption” remark to Fox News in February 2014 showed fatigue. There was simply no evidence that the IRS was used for political targeting, he made clear. Maybe, but here are 20 things every American taxpayer should know about it:
1.It really started in January 2010. In Citizens United, the Supreme Court found it unconstitutional to ban free speech by corporations, unions and other organizations.
2.In August 2010, the IRS distributed a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) list for Tea Party organizations applying for tax exempt status. Extra scrutiny, please.
3.In October 2010, IRS Exempt Organization chief Lois Lerner met with the DOJ about prosecuting conservative groups. Lerner or others at the IRS send voluminous taxpayer records to the FBI and DOJ, probably violating privacy laws. These documents may hold the key once we can see them.
4.By March 2012, amid reports of targeting, former IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman testifies there is “absolutely no targeting” by the IRS of conservative and/or Tea Party organizations.
5.On November 9, 2012, Mr. Shulman steps down as Commissioner, replaced by Steven Miller.
6.On May 10, 2013, during a bar meeting, Ms. Lerner admits targeting, calling it “absolutely incorrect, insensitive, and inappropriate.” Four days later, on May 14, 2013, the Inspector General issues a report confirming targeting. Attorney General Eric Holder announces an FBI investigation.
7.On May 15, 2013, Acting IRS Commissioner Steven Miller resigns. President Obama names Daniel Werfel Acting Commissioner. Mr. Miller and Inspector General J. Russell George testify to the House Ways and Means Committee.
8.On May 22, 2013, Ms. Lerner professes her innocence then takes the Fifth. Next day, she is placed on administrative leave.
9.On June 12, 2013, the IRS finally suspends BOLO lists for Tea Party names.
10.On June 20, 2013, the IRS pays $70 million in bonuses. Ms. Lerner receives $42,000; former Commissioner Miller receives $100,000.
11.On June 24, 2013, the IRS admits that “inappropriate criteria” were used for tax-exempt status. Next day, Democrats claim progressives were targeted too.
12.On September 24, 2013, Ms. Lerner’s retirement is announced, with full pension.
13.On February 3, 2014, President Obama tells Fox there’s “not a smidgen of corruption” at the IRS.
14.On March 11, 2014, the Committee on House Oversight and Reform issues a report on Lois Lerner.
15.On April 7, 2014, IRS Commissioner John Koskinen confirms there are six investigations: four by Congressional committees, one by the DOJ, one by the TIGTA. Over 250 IRS employees spend 100,000 hours, costing taxpayers at least $14 million.
16.On April 8, 2014, the Committee on House Oversight and Government Reform says it will pursue contempt charges against Ms. Lerner.
17.On May 7, 2014, the House of Representatives holds Ms. Lerner in contempt of Congress.
18.On June 13, 2014 (Friday the 13th!), the IRS first says it lost Ms. Lerner’s emails from 2009 to 2011. The IRS says hard drives and backups are destroyed, for 6 other IRS employees’ too. The IRS spent $10 million trying to recover them, but they are gone.
19.On September 22, 2014, Ms. Lerner breaks silence to Politico, says she is the victim.
20.In November-December 2014, the Inspector General recovers 30,000 backed up Lerner emails. In FOIA litigation, court ordered documents show that the DOJ met with Ms. Lerner in 2010 about conservative groups. The IRS and Inspector General decline to provide documents revealing taxpayer private data, though White House may have received them.
Not a smidgen of corruption my azz. Bunch of liars, crooks and obstructionists. Nice how the Gummint takes care of liars and crooks aint it?
Full retirement for lying and a Contempt of Congress charge plus a nice $42,000 Bonus!! Your tax money paid this worthless Cunning Underhanded Nasty Tramp.
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