Posted on 05/22/2013 12:34:42 PM PDT by Second Amendment First
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa said embattled IRS official Lois Lerner waived her Fifth Amendment rights and will be hauled back to appear before his panel again.
The California Republican said Lerner’s Fifth Amendment right to avoid self-incrimination was voided when she gave an opening statement this morning denying any wrongdoing and professing pride in her government service.
“When I asked her her questions from the very beginning, I did so so she could assert her rights prior to any statement,” Issa told POLITICO. “She chose not to do so — so she waived.”
Lerner triggered the IRS scandal on May 10 when she acknowledged that the agency wrongly targeted conservative groups applying for a tax exemption. Her lawyer told the House committee earlier this week that she would exercise her Fifth Amendment.
She appeared before Issa’s committee this morning under the order of a subpoena and surprised many by reading a strong statement to the panel.
“I have not done anything wrong,” she said. “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.”
Issa dismissed her from the committee room once it became clear she wouldn’t answer questions.
Lerner’s decision to speak at all immediately triggered a dust-up among lawmakers who were confused about whether she gave up her Fifth Amendment protections when she made an opening statement.
Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), a former federal prosecutor, said Lerner lost her rights the minute she started proclaiming her innocence, and that lawmakers therefore were entitled to question her. But Ranking Democrat Elijah Cummings of Maryland said hearing rules were not like those of a courtroom.
During the incident, Issa did not flat-out say whether or not Lerner had indeed waived her rights but instead tried to coax her into staying by offering to narrow the scope of questions.
By the afternoon, Issa was taking a harder stand.
“The precedents are clear that this is not something you can turn on and turn off,” he told POLITICO. “She made testimony after she was sworn in, asserted her innocence in a number of areas, even answered questions asserting that a document was true … So she gave partial testimony and then tried to revoke that.”
He said he was not expecting that.
“I understand from her counsel that there was a plan to assert her Fifth Amendment rights,” he continued. “She went ahead and made a statement, so counsel let her effectively under the precedent, waive — so we now have someone who no longer has that ability.”
Not only that, she acted this way because she believes she is above the law.
She’ll plead the 5th today and dare the Republicans to do anything.
This is the IRS we’re talking about.
Not some charity organization.
This woman headed up the Enforcement Office of the FEC in the 1990’s when they brought a lawsuit against the Christian Coalition and during the process, many of the FEC attorneys asked invasive questions centering on personal faith and prayer practices.
Do you see a pattern yet?
We need more RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION such as that diplayed by Trey Gowdy. Screw your “shame” and “guilt”
There is an “effin” war going on here in case you haven’t noticed. Our government has literally been hijacked by thugs with no, none, nada, zip, zero regard for the “law”.
The last thing we (conservative, principled, constitution-believing, Americans) need amongst the ranks are milquetoasts harboring guilt and shame every time things start to go our way.
Issa is just a racist.
SPOT on, AP.
If God is just, she will get her comeuppance in a very pretty manner.
The media’s refusal to investigate the Obama regime has made them fat, lazy and careless.
I see the pattern and I want them prosecuted. I just don’t want to use their tactics and become them in the process.
I see the pattern and I want them prosecuted. I just don’t want to use their tactics and become them in the process.
Poor Lois Lerner-—who it was revealed earlier, was actually
Superman’s first Jewish girlfriend.
Well that was a mature response. Thanks for confirming my initial impression of you.
Have good one.
I know how much you statists love me.
Keep on sucking.
Her statement has nothing to do with the greater question.
Each question stands alone, and nothing in your desire to prosecute her can change that.
If she has perjured herself, we will have the chance to see Issa fold without cause.
Her statements were general and offered no substance for any specific line of questioning.
She can take the 5th on any or every specific question.
Holy Kafka, Batman!
Hmmmm... that would explain it. He's not stupid -- at least not THAT stupid, to the point of not knowing how bad he makes his side look when he says "You give up your rights by claiming to be innocent". Something that insane could only be a deliberate throw-the-game maneuver.
Issa did everything right...and he entrapped the perp perfectly. Don't forget that he knew what to do.....because every eventuality in testimonies, no matter how bizarre, is anticipated and prepared for BEFOREHAND by committee counsels and staff.
We can rest assured that in her next "round" Madame Lerner will not escape unscathed as every move on her part and her attorneys' part is under discussion as we type....and the proper script for Rep. Issa to checkmate the arrogant slickster-ette is being constructed, NOW.
Leni
Well, obviously not. I can't figure out what the hell is going on with Issa, unless the Democrats have pix of him in a compromising position with a flamingo or something.
“...What is Issa going to do water board her?...”
This is the despised, insidious IRS we’re talking about here.
That’s a great idea. Send her down to Guantanamo and let those super spooks work on her awhile. She’ll sing.
.... or any woman.
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