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IRSgate Obstruction of Justice: time for a Special Prosecutor
The Thanks Project ^
| 6/18/2014
| Steve Berman
Posted on 06/18/2014 12:02:04 PM PDT by lifeofgrace
The IRSgate scandal has entered a new phase. We are no longer thinking in terms of abuse of power, although that allegation certainly has an abundance of evidence already. Now were talking about some real coverup crimes; actual felonies with jail time. Those involved with the IRS coverup have known known this from the beginning. Congress must appoint a Special Prosecutor.
Lerner is a lawyer, and she
began her career as a staff attorney at the Department of Justices criminal division, then moving on to the Federal Election Commission and served there as head of the enforcement division. She knew exactly what she was doing when she repeatedly asserted her Fifth Amendment rights at Congressional hearings.
Try looking at this from a prosecutors viewpoint. Allegations of abuse of government power for political purposes are made, and the central figure in the case consistently asserts self-incrimination protection. Then, when additional evidence is subpoenaed, its found that the organization employing the figure has lost critical evidence. It smacks of something called obstruction of justice.
The IRS points to a
policy claiming that
IRS policy requires employees to determine for themselves whether their e-mails constitute a record under the Federal Records Act. If so, "the email must be printed and placed in the appropriate file by the employee," according to a letter to Congress from Leonard Oursler, the IRS' director of legislative affairs. It's unclear whether Lerner did so.
So, at a minimum, Lerner probably violated the Federal Records Act, although proving this is going to require some serious forensics.
Theres a more effective route. Starting with 18 USC § 1510, Obstruction of criminal investigations, and applying 18 USC § 371, Conspiracy, a prosecutor just works his or her way down the chain, everyone who ever handled Lerners computer, worked on it, performed the backups, erased the tapes, and keeps going until someone cracks. Offer that person immunity to testify, and you can begin rolling up the gang. This is not a new strategy, its been used against criminal enterprises for decades. Lerner has to be intimately familiar with it, and shes keeping her options open, regardless of offers of protection and support from the White House (who can trust them to follow through when the heat turns up?).
This is why a Special Prosecutor is called for. Even Government Executives website
agrees with this.
Nothing has changed. The White House is stonewalling the IRS investigation. The most benign explanation is that Obama's team is politically expedient and arrogant, which makes them desperate to change the subject and convinced of their institutional innocence. That's bad enough. But without a fiercely independent investigation, we shouldn't assume the explanation is benign.
Congress has a responsibility to the citizens they represent to pursue this matter wherever it leads. Whether Republican or Democrat, the principles of government for the people, of the people, and by the people demand an answer. Its time for a Special Prosecutor.
TOPICS: Conspiracy; Government; Politics
KEYWORDS: irs; loislerner; specialprosecutor
To: lifeofgrace
Who would appoint a special prosecutor? Holder?
2
posted on
06/18/2014 12:03:32 PM PDT
by
MrB
(The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter admits whom he's working for)
To: lifeofgrace
The White House and all political appointees is an ongoing criminal enterprise.
To: lifeofgrace
0bama will run out the clock.
Boner is flaccid.
4
posted on
06/18/2014 12:11:47 PM PDT
by
Uncle Miltie
(Radicalized via the Internet)
To: lifeofgrace
This is the cover of Newsweek - October 13th 1997. NOTHING HAS CHANGED WITH THIS CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE!
5
posted on
06/18/2014 12:20:23 PM PDT
by
unixfox
(Abolish Slavery, Repeal the 16th Amendment)
To: lifeofgrace
We can talk and post, but in the end it’s all wasted. Turkey-neck shriveled up old hag will get away with it, and her marxist boss will give her a high-paying low-work job.
6
posted on
06/18/2014 12:36:56 PM PDT
by
I want the USA back
(Media: completely irresponsible. Complicit in the destruction of this country.)
To: lifeofgrace
I’m thinking of calling it “Obfusgate.”
7
posted on
06/18/2014 12:45:37 PM PDT
by
IronJack
To: lifeofgrace
Not gonna happen.
Eat yer peas....
8
posted on
06/18/2014 12:47:37 PM PDT
by
Vendome
(Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway-Enjoy Yourself ala Louis Prima)
To: lifeofgrace
9
posted on
06/18/2014 1:23:26 PM PDT
by
Travis McGee
(www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
To: Vendome
Then our Republic is doomed...
10
posted on
06/18/2014 1:48:28 PM PDT
by
lifeofgrace
(Follow me on Twitter @lifeofgrace224)
To: MrB
11
posted on
06/18/2014 1:48:51 PM PDT
by
lifeofgrace
(Follow me on Twitter @lifeofgrace224)
To: I want the USA back
Actually, she retired, so she’s living on a gov’t pension
12
posted on
06/18/2014 1:50:06 PM PDT
by
lifeofgrace
(Follow me on Twitter @lifeofgrace224)
To: MrB
I was just going to ask the same question. What a joke this country is now.
To: lifeofgrace
Obama’s AG is not going to make the same mistake Nixon’s did.
14
posted on
06/18/2014 3:00:05 PM PDT
by
mware
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