Lerner headed to contempt hearing
Posted on 04/06/2014 1:57:59 PM PDT by smoothsailing
March 31, 2014
Lerner, who headed the IRS division that reviews tax-exemption applications, has repeatedly invoked her Fifth Amendment right instead of testifying about the agency, and she, her former lawyers, and her mentor, Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) have been saying that the House panel could take no further action on the matter.
However, this month House lawyers decided that Lerner could, in fact, be charged with contempt. This decision was not merely made by the House Oversight Committee, but by the House.
Regardless of political affiliation, however, Lerner's reluctance to testify is frustrating. Watching her appearances in Congress has been like enthusiastically ordering a container of shrimp fried rice from the finest Chinese restaurant in the city, and then winding up with a delivery without even a single shrimp in it!
A Washington Times editorial on March 13 indicates that Lerner could be facing a day of reckoning:
"The noose tightens around the neck of Lois Lerner, once an enforcer at the Internal Revenue Service with duties to protect the interests of Democrats. She’s the first casualty of the IRS scandal and hasn’t answered many of the questions posed by Congress, beyond only a vow of innocence and her name, rank and serial number. The silence may not last much longer."
"In a sternly-worded letter (March 14) to Rep. Elijah Cummings -- and obtained by The Daily Caller -- Rep. Darrell Issa said that his House Oversight Committee is well within its rights to hold ex-IRS official Lois Lerner in contempt despite Cummings’ arguments to the contrary," Patrick Howley led his Daily Caller piece, "Issa to Cummings: You’re wrong. We can hold Lois Lerner in contempt."
"Issa says his latest report "presents evidence that Ms. Lerner misled Congress about IRS targeting and her own conduct."
The crucial question remains. Was Ms. Lerner acting alone or at the direction of the White House, Issa asks. Her testimony "remains critical to the committee's investigation."
Lerner's refusal to answer questions leaves Congress with the responsibility to pursue and punish what is clearly contempt of Congress, Issa concludes.
In "House lawyers say panel can pursue contempt charges against Lois Lerner" (Washington Post, March 26), Josh Hicks explains that, "... the panel effectively overruled Lerner’s Fifth Amendment assertion when it determined — in a party-line vote — that she had waived her right to not testify by declaring innocence at a hearing last year. It also noted that the committee advised Lerner that she could face contempt charges if she refused to answer questions."
Now even Democrats would like Lerner to pipe about the IRS scandal. Why the silence? Besides her, was anybody else involved, or was it just a group of renegade juvenile IRS agents in Cincinnati?
UPDATE:Lerner headed to contempt hearing
What happens after she’s held for contempt? Does she lose her parking space?
And I see Obama moving with increased purpose in a number of areas. I don't think he'd hesitate to pardon Lerner and just force this to "go away". He's got a phone and a pen and he cannot be impeached. He knows that he can do anything.
If indeed she’s charged by the House it’s going to be interesting to see if Lerner or Elijah goes the craziest, I’m betting it’s Elijah.
The punishment is too cruel and grotesque to reveal on this family friendly website.
Put her butt in jail.
“Lerner’s refusal to answer questions leaves Congress with the responsibility to pursue and punish what is clearly contempt of Congress, Issa concludes.”
Anyone noticed how The contempt charge on Holder has quietly slipped away and is no longer mentioned.
It’s all pretend. Nothing is gonna happen to anyone, except the citizens. We are screwed, and nothing can stop that from happening.
Put the whole damn agency in jail. Every one of them are complicit in crimes against Americans.
(I think you're definitely right. Ole Elijah will be fit to be tied. 8^)
Outstanding!!! ;^)
She can be jailed, if the House Leadership has the guts to do it. That is by no means certain, or even likely. But it’s possible. It was done back in the 1930’s most recently. I don’t know the circumstances.
I stole it from someone, it’s excellent!
Republican lawmakers are entangled with Holder in a court case stemming from a June 2012 House vote to hold him in contempt of Congress for failing to turn over documents and emails related to the gun-trafficking case.
Both sides are preparing to present arguments before a federal judge, who will then issue a judgement in the case. So far, the judge has rejected efforts by the Justice Department to dismiss the House lawsuit.
I sure hope he is, I love all his crazy faces from smirky to apoplectic.
I like that look on Moochelle’s face being shovel ready too. LOL!
What happens when she’s held in contempt?
Well, they’ll take away her starbucks pass...I should think.
It IS Issa. He’s such a hardass, I think if he ever holds her in contempt within the next seven years or so, he’ll do something equally as terrorizing.
> What happens after she’s held for contempt? Does she lose
> her parking space?
She’s a demonRAT.
She won’t even be shamed in the press.
If there is any reportage at all, it will portray her as a valiant servant of the people, harassed and hounded by mean old conservatives and extreme right-wing tea party types.
I’ve seen the headlines and stories so many times, I could write it myself. With my eyes closed.
The truth that will never see the light of day in the Soviet American press is that she is a lockstep, fascistic apparatchik, using her formidable power to intimidate and punish the political enemies of her dear leader.
Not much more. Worst case she could be jailed for a couple of weeks. She’s already shown she’s ready to take the fall.
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