IRS official Lerner: ‘I did nothing wrong’
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Internal Revenue Service official at the center of the storm over the agency’s targeting of conservative groups told Congress on Wednesday that she had done nothing wrong in the episode, and then invoked her constitutional right to refuse to answer lawmakers’ questions.
In one of the most electric moments since the IRS controversy erupted nearly two weeks ago, Lois Lerner defended herself during a brief appearance before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The committee is investigating the agency’s improper targeting of tea party and other conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status, and Lerner oversees the IRS office that processes applications for that status.
“I have done nothing wrong,” said a stern-looking Lerner, sitting next to three other witnesses and reading from a written statement. “I have not broken any laws. I have not violated any IRS rules or regulations and I have not provided false information to this or any other committee.”
Lerner then said she would invoke her Fifth Amendment right to avoid incriminating herself. Nine minutes after she began speaking, committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., excused her and Lerner left the hearing room through a rear door, escorted by her lawyer and several other men. SOURCE
I say this in ALL confidence; Lois Lerner is either the most incredibly STUPID individual in America or she thinks that everyone else is.
I am not a lawyer, I don’t play one on TV and I didn’t stay at a Holiday Inn last night but I have been in Court a few times over the years and I know this, no one says, “I have not broken any laws. I have not violated any IRS rules or regulations and I have not provided false information to this or any other committee.” and then immediately invokes the Fifth Amendment unless they really ARE guilty of all the things they just denied and are planning on keeping their mouth shut to save themselves from what could be a jail sentence, a good, long jail sentence.
There is one other thing that Lois Lerner may have on her mind; immunity.
If that is the case, and if she were to be granted immunity from prosecution, the Fifth Amendment would go by the wayside and she could indeed sing like a guilty bird.
Maybe that’s why committee Chairman Darrell Issa excused her, perhaps there is a deal in the works, because if that’s not the case, if she can just get up there and declare her innocence, invoke the Fifth Amendment and then walk FREE, a precedent has just been set that will throw the American legal system into a state of utter chaos.
Can you imagine? The Police find a ton of meth in the back of some van that a local tweaker is driving and when said tweaker goes to Court for arraignment he stands there scratching his arms and proclaiming his innocence and then invokes the Fifth.
Well … because of the precedence set by allowing Lerner to declare HER innocence and then invoke the Fifth and walk, our local tweaker does the same.
Again, I am NOT a lawyer, but somehow, that scenario just doesn’t seem right.
The men quickly whisked Lerner into an elevator, where several of the men physically pushed back television camera operators who were trying to film them.
The camera guys need to make sure that their finances are in order, the IRS apparently likes to audit those that challenge them or those they consider to be a danger to the regime of their Obamessiah.
And so the IRS knows, MY finances ARE in order, perfect order, and you guys don’t scare me one little bit.
Lerner’s refusal to answer questions was not a surprise. Her attorney, William W. Taylor III, wrote a letter to the committee this week saying she would do so.
Lerner revealed the agency’s targeting two weeks ago and apologized for the actions.
Lerner has every right to invoke the Fifth, I believe that by doing so she has painted a huge target on herself because I have NEVER seen or heard anyone invoke the Fifth that wasn’t as guilty as sin.
By revealing the targeting by the IRS and then apologizing for it is reminiscent of Rep. Joe Wilson and his shouts of “YOU LIE” at Obama as he was giving his State of the Union address and then apologizing for it.
If you tell the TRUTH, have the courage to stand BY that truth. You NEVER have to apologize for speaking the truth.
Additional Reading:
Rep. Gowdy furious Lerner allowed to give opening statement, then refuse to testify
Well it’s a good thing she didn’t want to rely on the 2nd Amendment or the 1st Amendment - the regime doesn’t believe in those. But the 5th - well that’s an Amendment made for these crooks.
“In a climate of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” George Orwell
How do these people live with them selves?? It seems to be never ending, one lie after another. All Lerner learned was how to lie and plead.
Boy, all I can say is she’s in a risky state of being now. First, an IRS agent with a name and a face; now a “cheating” IRS agent with a name and a face.
No wonder the US government is trying to buy all the ammo… They’re trying to protect their asses from ‘We the People’!
Oh there you go, Fred, giving attorneys NEW ideas. . .
BZ
She absolutely needs to be removed from her position regarding Obamacare. This woman is our enemy and will continue to screw us if she holds any government job. She may not want to talk because if she tells the truth it will probably take this all the way to the top man in all the land.
Can you imagine a “mafia” boss saying….Yeah, my goombas and I didn’t do nuthin, and I invoke my Fifth Amendment rights.
And Obama will do the same when forced to testify under oath.
That is where scum-bag defense lawyers will try to go if Lerner is allowed to get by with it..
Breaking news: Issa is bringing her back to testify! The witch waived her 5th amendment rights when she decided to read an opening statement and “Testify” first. Go get her!