Posted on 04/04/2014 6:09:01 PM PDT by smoothsailing
April 4, 2014
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., asked the panel's top Democrat to disclose communications between his office and the lawyer for former IRS official Lois Lerner, who faces contempt charges before the committee.
In a letter to ranking member Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., Issa said it was vital for him to share what he learned from interviewing her attorney, William W. Taylor III.
The panel is investigating Lerner — who headed the Exempt Organizations division of the agency when it controversially targeted conservative groups — and will vote on contempt charges on the grounds that she has refused to cooperate with the probe.
"As you know, Mr. Taylor's position with regard to Ms. Lerner's willingness to cooperate with the committee has changed several times," Issa wrote. "So that all members of the committee can have a better understanding of Mr. Taylor's current position, please disclose any communications that you or your staff have had with Mr. Taylor."
Lerner has refused to answer questions about IRS targeting, using her Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Reports have suggested that Lerner may seek immunity from the panel before agreeing to speak.
Republicans, though, say that Lerner waived her right to remain silent when she made a statement denying any wrongdoing, and charge that she is trying to delay the investigation.
Issa questioned if last-minute talks on immunity were more than just another stalling tactic and asked Cummings to share his discussions with Taylor.
"Your insistence on the prospect of immunity is surprising," Issa wrote. "In discussions with my staff, Mr. Taylor stated that his client does not fear prosecution and would not make any incriminating statements if she testified, with or without immunity.
"Ms. Lerner does not require immunity to testify truthfully about facts that would not incriminate her," he added.
Lerner served as the D.C.-based IRS official who some lawmakers believe played a key role in the practice of targeting certain conservative and Tea Party groups who were seeking tax-exempt status.
Issa and Cummings have had a strained relationship. At the conclusion of a committee hearing last month, the chairman turned off the Democrat's microphone after a testy exchange. Issa later apologized, which Cummings accepted.
But the attorney does.
Conversations with the bald headed one are not priviledged
He will now have to tell what he told cummings or take the 5th
He divulged priviledged info to Cummings he is n troubbble.
Followed your Mahoney link. Is she related to DWS? I see a faint resemblance.
LOL!
I have no idea, but I see what you mean!
yeah, Darrell, you can want all you like, but nothing Cummings would tell you could be trusted because he’s a lying scumbag democrip. The abortion of America is happening and the democrats are the aborticutionist of record. demonic bastards
Don’t ever allow those two to appear together in public.People will be turned to stone.
So Issa could bag both Cummings and the lawyer? Great!
I agree. Issa and several others on this Committee are good and anytime someone with top skills begins acting fumbly, someone trying to pull a fast one better be very careful.
What do they say? Dumb like a fox?
"Dead-End Darrell" strikes (out) again!
Carolyn Maloney, affectionately known as Carolyn Baloney.
Boy would I like to be a fly on he wall when / if those two ever meet privately!
Yes if only there were someone with even a vestigial spine that would hold such a person accountable. That is wishful thinking.
Bwahahaha!!!
Fifth Amendment.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation
This is a Congressional hearing, not a ‘criminal case’.
‘Person’, as stated by the amendment would seem to imply a private citizen living under its terms. NOT an officer of the government acting under color of law. The amendment even describes the routine of denying this privilege to the military. Ms. Lerner is merely an employee. Any actions taken in the course of her office do not have the privilege of the Fifth.
If Issa decides to grill Cummings he don’t get the fifth either.
Issa the toothless tiger roars again. Wake me when we take Washington.
That certainly makes sense. But Issa, Gowdy, and committee counsel are all focused on whether or not her statement before she exercised the 5th amounts to a waiver. They're saying if she hadn't made the statement beforehand that they'd have no grounds for contempt.
Does her retired status give her the ability to exercise the 5th Amendment privilege? Is that what's going on?
Cummins MADE the very first race card, bet your bippy he’ll pull it in a New York minute.
I still suspect Issa and Boys are laying a magnicicent trap and Cummins may have indeed trip the trigger with this lawyer. Now whether or not this lawyer will be willing to fall on his sword for the dem/libs is a different question, but I doubt it and once Cummins testifies something false per the lawyer discussion, he’s done.
Could be Issa has been waiting for just such a break and for a Senate change come November to begin nailing these perps to the wall. Show your hand too early, you get zip. Timing is everything!
The dems have put together such an elaborate house of cards, the whole thing might come undone in 15.
I knew I shouldn’t have clicked on that link
“Here’s how Issa will unwittingly sabotage himself. He’s good on the front end but bad on the follow through.”
In hockey we say he is all Swedish and no Finnish.
I hope you’re right. Nailing Lerner, the IRS, and the dems all together will be sweet!
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