During the Obama administration, the Department of Justice refused to open an investigation into Lois Lerner's alleged targeting of conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status. That's about to change, thanks to Kevin Brady, the Republican chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Brady, along with support from the Tax Police Subcommittee, sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions this week asking for an investigation into allegations that Lerner abused her power as the IRS Exempt Organizations Division director.
Lawmakers claim to have evidence of willful misconduct
Brady and Peter Roskam, who chairs the Tax Police Subcommittee, delivered information to Sessions that contains the findings of a three-year investigation -- an investigation that reportedly uncovered "evidence of willful misconduct" on the part of Lois Lerner.
The letter to Attorney General Sessions states that Obama's Justice Department refused to examine Lerner's misconduct for "purely partisan reasons", and adds that the Ways and Means Committee has uncovered evidence proving that Lerner took advantage of her position within the IRS to improperly target conservative groups.
The letter also claims that Lerner obstructed official investigations by providing misleading and deceptive statements to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
The letter also raises the possibility that Lerner may have mishandled confidential information about U.S. citizens by using her personal email to conduct IRS business.
Obama's lack of cooperation 'disturbing,' says Brady and Roskam
According to Breitbart News, the letter to Attorney General Sessions called Obama's lack of cooperation "disturbing." In February of 2014, the former president declared that there was "not a smidgeon of corruption" at the IRS.
Brady and Roskam argue that Obama's cursory dismissal of allegations against Lerner prevented a fair an impartial investigation.
Even though former president Barack Obama casually dismissed any allegations of wrongdoing, Lerner's track record of suspicious behavior has kept alive the Republican crusade to bring Lerner to justice.
Brady and Roskam addressed several incidents in their letter to Sessions, such as the time Congress voted to hold Lerner in contempt for her refusal to testify before the House Oversight Committee in 2013, after the allegations first surfaced. They also mention an American Bar Association event in May of 2013 where Lerner apologized for the "inappropriate actions" of the Cincinnati office of the IRS after it was revealed that conservative groups were unfairly targeted.
Brady and Roskam are urging Sessions to "take a fresh look at the evidence."
