This page has been archived and commenting is disabled.

IRS' Lois Lerner Re-Subpoenaed After Accidentally Waiving Her Right To Plead The Fifth

Tyler Durden's picture




 

"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity"

      Robert Hanlon

Perhaps, when one gets down to it, there was no actual intent of malice or ill-will on behalf of the IRS to persecute conservative groups (there was of course), and the bottom line is that all of the administration's IRS apparatchicks were just bloody stupid.

Such is the conclusion one derives after watching today's attempt by embattled IRS official Lois Lerner to plead the Fifth before the House Oversight Committee, which blew up spectacularly in her face, after she made an actual statement protesting her innocence, which it appears, was in itself a waiver of the waiver.

As a result, committee Chairman Darrell Issa has ordered Lerner to be hauled back, and to answer the questions she evaded earlier today, after now having effectively waived her Fifth Amendment right in retrospect, or else be charged with contempt!

The farce is becoming so blatant it is almost as if someone is utterly desperate to make a complete mockery of the entire IRS scandal, and in the process shake the administration to the core, which more than anything is being exposed as utterly incompetent to boot. Of course, the real question is what is the public's attention being distracted from.

Politico reports:

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.”

 

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.”... the committee may ultimately pursue a contempt charge if Lerner continues to refuse to talk.

And just so there is no confusion:

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.”

Watch the entire exchange here, andfast forward to the sixth minute for the legal objection:

 

- advertisements -

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
Wed, 05/22/2013 - 23:07 | 3590599 BullyBearish
BullyBearish's picture

I did nothing wrong, don't dare ask me any questions.  I'm going to strike you, don't even think about defending yourself or striking back.

 

Sound familiar?

Wed, 05/22/2013 - 23:08 | 3590600 GMadScientist
GMadScientist's picture

5 pages in and not a single person has pointed out that it's Robert A Heinlein, not Hanlon?!

Pathetic.

Wed, 05/22/2013 - 23:15 | 3590631 newengland
newengland's picture

Trivia suits you, mad scientist.

Wed, 05/22/2013 - 23:15 | 3590633 AldoHux_IV
AldoHux_IV's picture

"Of course, the real question is what is the public's attention being distracted from."

Inquiring minds want to know. A leak usually is endmeic to a greater problem, but will we find out or is this "damage control".

Wed, 05/22/2013 - 23:22 | 3590650 newengland
newengland's picture

Incorrect on this occasion. The IRS witch hunt against politically inconvenient people is real. Only fools seek to distract from this fact.

Focus on fact. One fact at a time. Math, not magic.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 00:19 | 3590797 RichardP
RichardP's picture

Math, not magic.

OK. Math.

How many applications for tax exempt status were set aside for further scrutiny?  (About 300).

Of this 300, how many applications were from conservative groups?  (About 100).

What are the percentages that received inappropriate scrutiny?  About 1/3 conservative groups.  About 2/3 non-conservative groups.

Of the approximately 300 applications for tax exempt status that were set aside for further review, how many were eventually granted tax exempt status?  All of them.

Focus on fact. One fact at a time. Math, not magic.  Math, not partisan rant.

Focus on fact.  Are tax-exempts supposed to engage in political activity?  (No)  If an application for tax exempt status has obviously political words in the name of the group applying, should that trigger a closer look by the IRS re. possible intended political activity before granting tax-exempt status?  (Yes)  Does the IRS have clear instructions from Congress on how to go about doing this closer inspection?  (No)  Does that lack of clear instruction create problems for the IRS in deciding how to go about their duties in this regard?  (Yes)  Should Congress be held to account for helping to create this problem?  (Yes)  Is Congress deflecting blame from themselves on this issue by the dog and pony show they are putting on?  (You answer that one.)

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 01:02 | 3590830 newengland
newengland's picture

RicharsP,

Bollox.

It was admitted in testimony before Congress that conservative groups were targeted for special scrutiny.

Nice try, counsellor.

Fail. 

Your problem. Not mine.

The BIS is aware of your failure.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 00:39 | 3590842 Georgiabelle
Georgiabelle's picture

You might want to check your sources. The testimony said that 1/3 contained the words "Tea Party", "Patriot", or "9/12". That does not imply that the other 2/3 were non-conservative groups, just that their names did not contain those three keywords or phrases. 

Wed, 05/22/2013 - 23:57 | 3590748 newengland
newengland's picture

Once upon a time in America, there were people who defied Big Brother centralised Fed state, the tax collectors for the Monarchy.

Now, the lawyers and apparatchiks rule with impunity, serving the tax collectors. Serving those with the most, and taking most from taxpayers and the poor.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 00:21 | 3590803 jonjon831983
jonjon831983's picture

What are they trying to distract?  Not sure... Benghazi? or DOJ? or... where are we at now?

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 00:22 | 3590805 The Heart
The Heart's picture

Awww shucks, this ol hag is just practicing to be hillery's running mate. And scruffy the great white squirrel chaser behind her advising is really a rockem-sock-em too, eh!

Tis great to see the wheels of justice turning, although very slowly toward what no doubt will turn out to be a lot of hoo-ha all for nothing. This woman will only be promoted for carrying the water for the barry o. The real criminals are escaping what ever the brand of justice this farce is called. Maybe tomorrow will bring some real fireworks, like GO TO JAIL TAX-HAG AND DO NOT PASS GO!

If only the real corrupted criminal puppets were the ones being grilled. But then, maybe they are as the good Professor Black said, just getting warmed up. In the facade to yes, cover up something, we all better be ultra vigilant. Everybody knows something is wrong. Everybody is preparing to meet on the bridge. Everybody knows babylonian tricks are sure to come. Cue the false flag event to instantly turn all heads towards an instant patriotism of the walking dead marching off to glorious war for the homeland. Zig-zig! Hail? Forget all these cover ups and scandles. Wash, rinse repeat. After world war three, where will YOU be?

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 00:28 | 3590819 yrbmegr
yrbmegr's picture

She didn't waive anything.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 01:01 | 3590884 newengland
newengland's picture

Lerner is a  bureaucrat. She and Shulman take all, and pay nothing, make nothing, and always use others for their own benefit.

Jail them or ruin them financially, for their failure and smug hate.

Shulman is the worst of the two.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 08:44 | 3591446 ThisIsBob
ThisIsBob's picture

That is correct. Silly amature trick by Issa.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 00:28 | 3590820 brettd
brettd's picture

If she is convicted in either civil or criminal process, does she still get her Fed pension?

I suspect all these munchkins just shrug and say "...I'm set for life..."

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 00:39 | 3590843 luckylogger
luckylogger's picture

Hang the bitch............ or whatever the arrogant thing is. I saw its testimoney and it obviously thought it was above the law and more important than any of the 300 million subjects below it. Must be nice to be above the law and set for life. Pitchforks now !!

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 00:56 | 3590875 newengland
newengland's picture

Lerner targets conservatives, but they are the people who die in foreign lands for her hateful nazionist way while she takes money from all, safe in her political  bed,  a bureaucrat who takes all, and pays nothing.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 03:13 | 3591096 AnAnonymous
AnAnonymous's picture

Ah, ah, that 'american' failed to dance the 'american' rope of self indiction, lack of, innocent, not guilty etc

Guess she was a cultural 'american'. Naturals have 'americanism' in them and do not fail pitifully at this woman.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 04:16 | 3591143 TheFourthStooge-ing
TheFourthStooge-ing's picture

The Chinese citizenism citizens nature is eternal and don't ask from them what they can not deliver. Consideration for equality is not one of them.

Guy is ignoring this little fact.

Let's recap:

'americans': bad

non-'americans': good

Anything happening that is bad is done by 'americans'.

'AnAnonymist' Chinese citizenism world order.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 04:20 | 3591146 Bearwagon
Bearwagon's picture

Natural Anonymouses have shit in them and do not fail pitifully at dumpin it on living room floor.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 05:16 | 3591183 smacker
smacker's picture

 

This woman has more than a passing resemblance to the British socialist with too much power & influence in the Labour Party: Harriet Harman (aka Hatty Hatemen):  http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/5/14/1273...

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 05:40 | 3591210 torak
torak's picture

She needed time to get the "Talking Point" correct (version 20.125).

Bridge to Damage Control.....

 

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 07:21 | 3591304 Dollar Bill Hiccup
Dollar Bill Hiccup's picture

You really have to laugh ... and then get scared.

Why? Because the bureaucrats think they are doing g-d's work evidently. They are the truth, even when lying, manipulating or breaking the law, because in essence, they follow a higher law ...

Or, some people really are that dumb.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 07:26 | 3591348 MyBrothersKeeper
MyBrothersKeeper's picture

When looking at the IRS, AP, and other issues currently happening in Washington, it's the really guilty who are often abscent from the fray. My overwhelming guess of who is behind most of this stuff resides within the WH inner circle and the dots don't seem to be too difficult to connect. Hint:  "those who didn't support us are going to get payback bigtime...!".  Now you can say the statement was made around the election and much of the carnage took place well before, but it's easy to determine that the establishment of a mindset was rooted long before and seems to fit very well with how things are currently playing out.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 07:37 | 3591376 esum
esum's picture

Bend over Lois... here comes justice sans lube. This IRS thing was PLANNED, ORGANIZED, DIRECTED AND CONTROLLED BY OBOWMAUMAO. WH visitor logs show the pres of the IRS union visitng with the self-annointed one and shortly thereafter he issues an executive order empowering the IRS union.. Meeting after meeting. thre is no need ot connect the dots the picture is three. All Issa ahs to do is subpoena the low level people, let them incriminate themselves and climb the ladder to Obama's doorstep and IMEPACH.   ditto for Benghazi... two birds for the price of one Obama + Hillary... fast and Furious atrio of birds Hilary, Holder and Obama. IMPEACHMENT IS INEVITABLE... it just depends on how long they want to drag it out... FANTASTIC... Obama will self impale on his GIANT EGO and limited IQ. When will the rats start ot abandon ship.... Just a matter of time. Chinese torture for those involved... Watch Obama's hair turn PURE WHITE.... and holder and hillary's fall out. Watchthe three rodents try to figure out how to buy a pass when they  trun on each other..... the parade of whistleblowers and insiders cya moves will be very amusing. The King has no clothes .... 

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 08:03 | 3591438 jughead
jughead's picture

There is so much bullshit here.  You can't invoke the 5th to avoid appearing...you CAN invoke the 5th on any specific question.  If you answer a question, you have obviously waived your right not to under the 5th, if you don't want to answer, you may invoke the 5th. It ain't rocket surgery...but then of course these are pols, bureaucrats we're talking about here.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 08:34 | 3591556 ThisIsBob
ThisIsBob's picture

Boy, this is a tough crowd.  Willing to vilify someone for exercising their fifth amendment rights, yet inclined to defend and praise those who do the same with the first and second.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 12:34 | 3592458 BearOfNH
BearOfNH's picture

Bob, the way it works is, if you don't claim your 5th Amendment rights at the very start, you lose the ability to claim them later. Your comment reads like you don't understand that. Rightly or wrongly, that's the way it works.

If Lois had (properly) started out pleading the 5th I don't think there would be a ZH thread excoriating her.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 09:41 | 3591764 esum
esum's picture


Ow shucks golly gee Gomer.... It's just pure coincidence that the IRS was chosen to "manage" Obamacare... with 16000 new agents and of course dont forget the 100,000 navigators... naw nothing to smell here... no death panels, no increased costs and of course you can keep your existing plan (even if it costs 5x what it did before). Dont worry just becasue ti will all cost 3x what Obama swore it woudl cost.. that's just a slight miscalcualtion.

Virginia Democrat Gerry Connolly: There would be many reasons you might be at the White House. What would be some of the reasons you might be at the White House?

In response... Former IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman: Um, the Easter Egg Roll with my kids. Questions about the administrability of tax policy (who to fuck mercilessly) they were thinking of. Our budget. Us helping the Department of Education streamline application processes for financial aid. 118 visits.... ah so the president "would not know anything" except what he "reads in the newspapers"...

Who is Judy Faulkner? Chances are, you don’t know her — but her politically connected, taxpayer-subsidized electronic medical records company may very well know you. Top Obama donor and billionaire Faulkner is founder and CEO of Epic Systems, which will soon store almost half of all Americans’ health information.


If the crony odor and the potential for abuse that this “epic” arrangement poses don’t chill your bones, you ain’t paying attention.

As I first noted last year before the IRS witch hunts and DOJ journalist snooping scandals broke out, Obama’s federal electronic medical records (EMR) mandate is government malpractice at work. The stimulus law provided a whopping $19 billion in “incentives” (read: subsidies) to force hospitals and medical professionals into converting from paper to electronic record-keeping systems. Penalties kick in next year for any provider who fails to comply with the one-size-fits-all edict.

FAIRLY AND JUSTLY ADMINISTERED BY YOUR FRIENDLY SMILING IRS AGENT.... WHO WILL NOW SEE YOUR TAX RECORDS, YOUR HEALTH RECORDS AND CHEEFULLY HELP YOU GET IT ALL CORRECT. AND YOU STILLL HAVE YOUR FREEDOM AND PRIVACY... RIGHT?  WELCOME TO THE SOVIET UNION USSA STYLE.

 

 

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 14:12 | 3592936 bluskyes
bluskyes's picture

The look on her face, when notified that she has waived her 5'th ammendment rights is priceless.

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!