Posted on 08/28/2015 11:04:16 PM PDT by Steelfish
IRS Must Say If White House Sought Taxpayers’ Information: Judge
Stephen Dinan - August 28. A federal judge Friday ordered the IRS to turn over the records of any requests from the White House seeking taxpayers’ private information from the tax agency, delivering a victory to a group that for two years has been trying to pry the data loose.
It’s not clear that there were any such requests — but Judge Amy Berman Jackson said the IRS cannot just refuse to say so by citing taxpayer confidentiality laws, known as section 6103 of the tax code.
“This court questions whether section 6103 should or would shield records that indicate confidential taxpayer information was misused, or that government officials made an improper attempt to access that information,” the judge wrote in denying the IRS’s request to close out the case.
The ruling marks yet another federal judge who has ordered the Obama administration to be more transparent when responding to open-records records. The State Department is facing a barrage of orders from federal judges demanding more cooperation in releasing former Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton’s emails.
White House officials and federal agencies are allowed, under very select circumstances, to ask the IRS for protected information. But the requests must be carefully cleared.
Questions about potential White House meddling in taxpayers’ private information stretch back to the beginning of the Obama administration, when the then-White House chief economist seemed to describe the tax structure of Koch Industries during a briefing with reporters.
His description was apparently incorrect, but it left some watchdog groups wondering if the White House had quietly sought information on conservatives, such as the billionaire Koch brothers.
Cause of Action sued in 2013 to get a look at whatever requests the White House, or other federal agencies, had made.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
the argument was ludicrous on its face...
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We are refusing to release information related to potential violations of taxpayer confidentiality, in order to protect taxpayer confidentiality.
Catch 22 and 1984 have gone from interesting bits of literature to prophecy in 2 generations.
You are right. Then they will dare anyone to do something about it.
Yeah and the GOPe will do...nothing.
Taxpayer information sent to the White House was not marked “confidential” at the time.
There is no way they will cooperate and they do not need to. The law simply does not apply to them. You would think the judge already understands this.
his will be ignored and will be forced to the supreme court and through delaying tactics wont be solved till the next presidency.
Maybe the judge had a momentary twinge on conscience, but was quickly jolted back into reality. Perhaps a mental image of Fort Marcy Park entered into his psyche, and he decided he was not ready to take a dirt nap just yet.
Between the Democrats and the “Fairfax” Party (what the Republicans have become)....there’s a problem. Neither are representing their voters and it’s a political game of agendas and special interest groups.
And people still wonder why Trump is so popular...
What did he know and when did he know it?
Isn't it kind of unwritten rule, where the Rats heavy, and Rats light (GOPe) agree not to prodecute those from previous administrations? If that is true, and I think it is, no Rat bastard will ever be held accountable for anything, or at least not in this lifetime. When they stand tall in front of God, then they will get theirs. Unfortunately, that is the only Justice we will EVER get.
I have come to the conclusion that those running both political parties are the problem
I doubt that Trump or Cruz will play by those “rules”. I expect Attorney General Mark Levin, (or Trey Gowdy), to go for the jugular.
Why does the judge think this administration will tell the truth?
So have I.
I hope you are right, but I am not confident. Someone needs to hold their feet to the fire.
thats better. no pardons right?
Are you kidding me, the GOPe colluded with Democrats to target conservative.
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