Lois Lerner pleads the fifth in IRS scandal hearings, Tea Party leader responds
Lois Lerner invoked the Fifth Amendment Wednesday when she appears before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, refusing to answer any questions about the recent IRS scandal.
Lerner’s attorney, William Taylor III, asked committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., in a letter if she could skip Wednesday’s hearing since she would be pleading the Fifth.
Taylor argued in the letter that forcing Lerner to appear “would have no purpose other than to embarrass or burden her.”
Late Tuesday, the House oversight committee released a statement saying Lerner was still under subpoena and would be required to appear.
“I know some people will assume I have done something wrong. I have not,” she said. “I have not broken any laws. I have not violated any IRS rules and regulations, and I have not provided false information to this or any other congressional committee.”
Represtative Trey Gowdy, (R-S.C.) protested Lerner’s action. “You don’t get to tell your side of the story and then not stand for cross examination,” he said. “She waived her right against self-incrimination, she ought to sit here and answer our questions.”
Chairman Darrell Issa, (R-Calif.) said not to worry. Lerner could be recalled if committee lawyers determine whe waived her rights by delivering an opening statement.
Jenny Beth Martin, Tea Party Patriots Co-Founder and National Coordinator, was none too happy that Lerner was allowed to plead the Fifth. She says her group was one of those targeted and harassed by the IRS.
“While we respect Ms. Lerner’s use of the Constitution’s Fifth Amendment, we are disturbed she saw fit to trample over our First Amendment rights by harassing us and many other groups for our views.”
I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY, BUT, IF Lois Lerner WAIVED HER RIGHTS BY MAKING AN OPENING STATEMENT, HER ATTORNEY SHOULD BE DISBARRED.
THIS IS A “ROTTEN EGG,” WHICH WILL GO NOWHERE. EVEN, IF Ms. Lerner IS RECALLED BEFORE Oversight and Government Reform Committee, THE “POLITICKING” WILL ONLY LOOK LIKE “CHEAP SHOTS” TAKEN AT THE KENYAN.
CONSERVATIVES SHOULD ALWAYS FEAR THE LABEL, “racist,” WHEN THE PUBLIC DOES NOT UNDERSTAND AN ISSUE.
CHRISTOPHER ALLEN HORTON
AFTER RECEIVING A LETTER OF COMPLAINT FROM U.S. Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) AND John McCain (R-AZ) TO Acting Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Danny Werfel, Lois Lerner WAS PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE BECAUSE SHE MADE AN OPENING STATEMENT BEFORE A CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE, THEN, INVOKED HER Fifth-Amendment privilege.
IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING ATTORNEYS ARE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT THEIR CLIENTS FROM HARM – UNLESS, CLIENTS CHOOSE TO “TAKE MATTERS IN THEIR OWN HANDS.” BUT, THIS IS NOT THE CASE WITH, Ms. Lerner.
Acting Commissioner Werfel IS AN OBVIOUS “SLIMEBALL” WHO IS IN “CAHOOTS” WITH CONGRESS; HE HAS AN OBLIGATION TO Ms. Lerner, BUT, HE IGNORED IT. HE SHOULD HAVE REALIZED Ms. Lerner HAD INEFFECTIVE COUNSEL AND ALLOWED HER TO REMAIN ACTIVELY ON STAFF.
SOME TYPE OF CENSURE NEEDS TO COME TO Acting Commissioner Werfel’s AND Ms. Lerner’s “attorney’s” WAY. THIS IS PITIFUL!
CHRISTOPHER ALLEN HORTON