Posted on 06/08/2013 8:36:49 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Elizabeth Hofacre has turned out to be a gold mine to investigators of political corruption at the IRS. The Cincinnati-office specialist didn’t take kindly to having the entire mess dumped on the shoulders of her colleagues and herself, and has made it plain in depositions that this was no low-level innovation. The Hill became the latest media outlet to peruse the transcripts, and added a little more to the growing public record of the targeting effort’s genesis in Washington rather than Cincinnati:
An IRS staffer in Cincinnati told congressional investigators that a Washington official was the driving force behind the targeting of Tea Party organizations in 2010, and showed unprecedented interest in those groups’ tax-exempt applications.
Elizabeth Hofacre, the Cincinnati staffer, said that she started receiving applications from Tea Party groups to sift through in April, 2010. Hofacre’s handling of those cases, she said, was highly influenced by Carter Hull, an IRS lawyer in Washington.
As it turns out, the scapegoating wasn’t the only thing that angered Hofacre. Normally, the IRS doesn’t interfere with rank-and-file agents when they choose targets for their investigation and make decisions on applications. When it came to Tea Party and other conservative groups, Hofacre suddenly found that her autonomy had been stripped, which she found “demeaning”:
Hofacre said that she integrated questions from Hull into her follow-ups with Tea Party groups, and that Hull had to approve the letters seeking more information that she sent out to those organizations. That process, she said, was both unusual and “demeaning.”
“One of the criteria is to work independently and do research and make decisions based on your experience and education,” Hofacre said, according to transcripts reviewed by The Hill. “Whereas in this case, I had no autonomy at all through the process.”
“I thought it was over the top,” she added, in interviews held by investigators in both parties from the House Oversight and Ways and Means committees. “I am not sure where it came from, but it was a bit unusual.”
In the end, even Hofacre ended up getting stalled and stonewalled by Hull, she claims. Hofacre got so tired of dealing with angry applicants who couldn’t fathom why the IRS kept stalling that she took another position. Hofacre also told investigators that requests for donor lists were “appalling,” but those requests came after she had already left.
The “low-level employee” defense is crumbling in both fact and perception. Gallup’s latest survey shows that 59% of all adults believe that high-ranking IRS officials knew full well about the targeting of conservatives, and even a plurality of Democrats do too:
Nearly six in 10 Americans believe that high-ranking IRS officials in Washington were aware the IRS had a practice of targeting conservative political groups for greater scrutiny in recent years. One-quarter think knowledge of this was mainly limited to the agency’s office in Cincinnati where the mishandled applications for tax-exempt status were processed.
Almost as many — 50% — believe that high-ranking Obama administration officials knew about it, too. That includes 54% of independents. Barack Obama’s approval rating on handling the issue is just 32/58, and with 77% of Americans believing this to be a serious matter (49% say very serious), that’s a bad position to be in — especially with two NSA scandals being added to the Scandalabra this week.
I found a picture of Carter Hull. He just now conveniently retired... how does that protect him. He is a pale faced old guy with teeth like a bad picket fence. His facebook page has been scrubbed.
Did anybody find a picture of Elizabeth Hofacre?
If they freaked out after 2010, what do you think they'll do to avoid losing in 2014...and 2016?
As it is, the usurpers are sooooooooooo close to their goal -- totalitarian power -- they can smell it.
Will they risk losing an election...an election that might cost them their chance to "fundamentally transform American society"?
LOL, the Scandalabra!
Do the names Valerie Jarrett, Rahm Emanuel, David Axelrod and Timothy Geithner ring a bell for the possible persons(s) who directly controlled the IRS targeting of Conservatives?
You gotta wonder if Valerie Jarrett has blackmailed Republicans against so much as even raising her name in connection with these scandals. Ssshhhhh....
We have a name. It would be good to write this one down. BTT
Shutting down conservative community organizing groups is not voter suppression,<<<...No! IT’S TREASON!!!...Think about it...
Carter Hull needs to be subpoenaed and convicted of Treason!!!...if he cooperates and names names....he could plea bargain for a life sentence..Follow the chain up!!
Mr. Hull will likely prove to be a "middle-manager" in the organization chart.
Several arrows pointing down. But, maybe, only one pointing up...
I’ve read where Robert Bauer, Obama’s lawyer and Anita Dunn’s husband, was also involved in the IRS scandal.
“. . . picture of Elizabeth Hofacre?”
I’m going to hold off regarding her as one of the culprits in this scandal. I would not welcome her photo being broadcast all around right now. From what has been released of her deposition it seems she was trapped in a bad situation and is now able to give valuable information.
Cindy Thomas was her department chief and Paz and Lerner were the next higher ups. Hofacre had to take orders from Hull in D.C. Who could Hofacre complain to, Thomas?, Paz?, Lerner? She might have contacted congress, but that would have been her only out, and that would have been taking a huge personal risk. Hofacre even started to look for another job because of the situation.
At this stage, I doubt Hofacre is lying to congress.
If anyone is soiling their pants in fear of being silenced its mr. Hull. I can’t possibly see how he decided all this on his own. Whoever he listened too is going to tire of sweating while waiting to see if he flips.
We all need to PRAY!!
The face of EVIL.
If there is not serious jail time for the IRS perpatrators, then our democracy has no meaning. Just what do these guys think empowers them to behave this way?
Bump. Is the RNC paying attention? Never mind.
I don’t believe for one minute the leftists and Holders people that populate the cubicles of the government agencies aren’t willing participants in this, they just don’t want to get all the blame for something that their bosses asked them to do.
5.56mm
The White House She-Devil.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.