Now IRS official will plead the 5th before Congress

Big Chief

Watergate? Mafia getting busted for the RICO ACT? Brings back memories.

Some IRS gal's lawyer said that's what she will do tomorrow. Others too.

horselips

The House committee should consider any witness on a government payroll who refuses to testify to be in contempt of Congress, and order the sergeant at arms of the House to take the witness into custody, to be held in confinement until he/she is willing to cooperate and tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

bisley

I think Congress should publicly declare, when this actually happens, that the IRS is a totally corrupt and morally bankrupt organization that personifies everything that is wrong with the federal government. Any government bureaucracy that considers itself immune from oversight by the Congress that allowed it to exist in the first place has to be abolished. There will never be a better opportunity to overhaul the tax laws, and if the Republicans don't run on this platform in the mid-terms, they are gutless, and part of the problem.

When these people actually take the stand and invoke this 'privilege,' the questioner should spend his time pressing this point home.

knitepoet

Looks like there's a possibility she blew it by "testifying" first by reading her statement.

Hmmmmmmm
This might get interesting
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/05/did-lois-lerner-botch-fifth-amendment-rights/

edited to add another link

Republican Rep. Darrell Issa declared Thursday that the embattled IRS official who refused to testify Wednesday had no right to do so, and is now looking to haul her back before his committee.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/05/23/republicans-may-call-back-irs-official-who-refused-to-testify/#ixzz2U9ANToXk

sgtrock21

An individuals right to "take" the fifth amendment is still valid.

coolgunguy

sgtrock21 wrote: »

An individuals right to "take" the fifth amendment is still valid.

True, but the question isn't whether she can plead the fifth or not, but whether she can plead the fifth AND not plead the fifth....which is what they say she's done. I'm not sure of the constitutionality of that position, just saying that's where the question comes in. Just a bit above my pay grade...

bisley

She made a statement under oath, so she can be cross-examined. Otherwise, it's the equivalent of a trial in which the defense can present evidence without it being challenged by the prosecution. Of course, she and her lawyers will say that isn't so and push that position as far as they can. It's probably just a matter of whether they can delay long enough for their opponents to give up...which they may do, being politicians.

coolgunguy

Okay, but does that mean she gives up the right to invoke the fifth period, or does it just apply to things she's already testified about? I'm thinking the latter, but don't know...

tennmike

coolgunguy wrote: »

Okay, but does that mean she gives up the right to invoke the fifth period, or does it just apply to things she's already testified about? I'm thinking the latter, but don't know...

IIRC, she testified about three things BEFORE she took the 5th. All the legal minds that have commented on that say that she can be questioned on any testimony she gave BEFORE taking the 5th. Judge Napolitano gave a good review of the law on that particular instance.

I think a case should be made against her, and she should be tried in Federal court. Treat that worthless IRS heifer like the *&^%%***&^:cuss: :cuss: :cuss: IRS treats us common peons. Turn about is fair play, don'tcha think?

Virginia Boy

It seems, that the 5th amendment, is the only one the
dummocrats respect.

coolgunguy

tennmike wrote: »

IIRC, she testified about three things BEFORE she took the 5th. All the legal minds that have commented on that say that she can be questioned on any testimony she gave BEFORE taking the 5th. Judge Napolitano gave a good review of the law on that particular instance.

I think a case should be made against her, and she should be tried in Federal court. Treat that worthless IRS heifer like the *&^%%***&^:cuss: :cuss: :cuss: IRS treats us common peons. Turn about is fair play, don'tcha think?

I do, I do!