Shulman went through the first of at least two testimonies he is required to give concerning the #IRS scandal. Today, he appeared before the Senate Finance Committe. It did not go well for Mr. Shulman. He said he was “dismayed” and “saddened ” after reading the IG’s report that indicated targeting had gone on within the IRS concerning 501(c)(4) exemption. applications. In his usual instructive yet digressing style, he appeared to try and give the appearance of acceptance that the the questions concerning the fairness of the IRS’ actions, were justified. Yet he did not apologize and claimed he wasn’t responsible for what happened regarding the targeting. Sounds rather like a terrified USC trying to appeal to the IRS that he/she wasn’t responsible for not filing a tax return, or an FBAR, since he/she had no knowledge of it, doesn’t it? Apparently the panel was not particularly sympathetic to Shulman (or Miller).
See the video of his comments at:
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/irs-scandal-doug-shulman-91665.html (1:35)
Interestingly, Baucus took the unusual step of swearing each witness in. I wonder what level of risk that involves. I hear that famous phrase “under penalty of perjury” ringing deliciously in my ears!
“Shulman has come under fire for telling a House committee in March 2012 that the IRS was “absolutely” not targeting conservative groups. He was briefed on the program in May but never disclosed it to Congress before stepping down in November at the end of a six-year term.” If he could claim the IRS was not targeting in March 2012, it would appear that he knew it was going on. What difference does it make that he was briefed in May. What matters is that he knew, it was his responsibility to follow through and get to the bottom of it, given the seriousness of the matter. The fact he did not tell Congress is what should nail him. And what does that remind of us? Willfulness. Willful blindness (NOT!). Hm, what’s the penalty for that? Lying to Congress could land him 5 years in jail.
Mr. Shulman’s testimony “frustrated Republicans already irritated by Miller’s contentious appearance before the House Ways and Means Committee last Friday and shed little additional light on when key figures in the White House and Treasury found out about the IRS targeting.” I find it interesting that, although partisan-based, the Republicans seem to feel Obama is responsible so how could anyone not find Shulman responsible? It was his job to lead the IRS and knowing there was a problem, it is inexcusable that he did not investigate the full extent of it. Orrin Hatch said the fact Shulman and Miller found out in May 2012 and did not notify Congress amounted to “a lie of omission.”
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/300573-dem-ex-irs-chief-lied-to-congress
A Democrat, Rep. Joseph Crowley, indicated he believed Shulman lied to Congress under oath when he told lawmakers last year that the agency did not give special attention to certain groups.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/21/politics/irs-targeting/index.html?hpt=hp_inthenews
Baucus and Hatch sent a letter to the IRS on Monday seeking an exhaustive list of information about the case as part of a full investigation by their committee. There is a deadline (can’t find the original info) and there was no mention of any possibility of an extension. Hmmm, what kind of accuracy penalties, in addition to non-filing compliance, could we be looking at here? LOL!
According to The Hill, the Justice Department has launced a criminal investigation into the matter. And Lois Lerner will plead the 5th tomorrow when appearing before the House Oversight Committee.
Tune in tomorrow to the House Oversight Committee hearing where Mr. Shulman will appear again.
I think the 30 years IRS vet might be the IRS’s only friend right now.
@bubblebustin
LOL! But they deserve every bit of this. I am ashamed of still being so angry but when I remember the terror of the OMG moment followed by the 4 months of endless anxiety until I renounced, I at least accept that it is natural to want revenge.
Will we be vindicated? I surely hope so.
Watching Shulman was like watching teflon sweat. “I deeply regret that it happened on my watch”. Hardly an apology:
Here is the PBS coverage tonight…
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/jan-june13/irs_05-21.html
So, I have little sympathy for him, as he showed no concern or sympathy for me or many others in his fish fertilizer OVDP processing factory.
This is quite interesting. Neither Shulman nor Miller are good witnesses. They are both evasive and project the attitude that they are above the law. In order to make the case for IRS reform all one need do is show videos of Shulman and Miller.
It will be interesting to see where this goes. Why would the IRS target conservative groups? Why would the Obama White House target conservative groups? If this investigation moves in the direction of implicating the White House, Miller and Shulman will certainly be blamed by the White House and will be forced by the White House to take the fall. The punishment for one or the other or both will certainly be severe. The White House can’t both blame the IRS and take the position that those leading in the IRS should not be held accountable and dealt with severely.
So, if Miller and Shulman have any brains to go along with their offensive arrogance, they must take the position that the IRS is 100% responsible for this and that the White House had absolutely nothing to do with it. Their penalty will be less if they take full responsibility now.
Therefore, an appropriate message to Mr. Shulman would be:
“This is your last and best chance to come into compliance! Those who come into compliance first will pay less!”
@Renounce
Good point. Wonder if they will see it. And once again, you are too funny!
@USCitizenAbroad – Your message to Mr. Shulman made my day! LOL!
It’s altogether possible that all of this investigating will finally cast a spotlight on how the IRS has for quite some time been targeting folks for political reasons and at the behest of many administrations. Now that Ms Lerner has naively let the cat out of the bag, the outrage must ensue.
@bubblebustin
Naively? I can’t fathom why she would make such a remark in the first place. One would think she would understand the ramifications of stating such information outside the Agency. Doh???
One thing I don’t get is why Geithner’s name hasn’t been mentioned. Lew wasn’t even around when this was first popping up. The explanations that top guys stepped aside to let the IG do his job also puzzles me. If I knew something of that nature was alleged, my instinct would be to do what was needed to get ahead of the situation and take charge.
Issa apparently is quite the griller. Too bad the focus will be on the expectedly silent Ms. Lerner.
… and today’s questions for Mr. Shulman have me mesmerized, http://www.c-span.org/Live-Video/C-SPAN3/.
They are really grilling him. Love it! Treat him like he treated FBAR penalties. Guilty until you prove innocence.
Rep Jim Jordan is really giving a hard time, and Shulman really struggled to understand the questions and answers and lots of blank stares.
https://twitter.com/FATCA_Fallout/status/337235871252242432
This has likely been posted but I just read it and comments: http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertwood/2013/05/19/6-questions-everyone-should-ask-the-irs/
Yes, and I made a comment which was called out. 🙂
Great show on Cspan. Glad I caught it, thanks to you!
It would be helpful if some real reform came from this but stuff like this usually leans toward being just show and the GOP is fixated on Obama not the IRS. The IRS is just a means to the end and as such the real problems aren’t likely to be fixed in any meaningful way.
It’s not just expats who suffer when the IRS and its leaders aren’t held accountable. All Americans get screwed.
And the problem at it’s heart is the tax code, which will never really be fixed b/c its messiness benefits those who own Congress and the WH. Sad, but I fear true.
btw, I am tweeting each Representative as they ask their questions..
@RepGosar had good tough questions to Shulman about story leaks out of the IRS to @propublica, and Shulman had no answers. FATCA data security is the natural follow on, that we should be raising right now…
https://twitter.com/FATCA_Fallout/status/337246379921534976
Rep Gowdey really hammering Shulman? He can not answer yes or no
@Just Me
Is it over? I presume so….could not get down in time
and Glad to be of service! 😛
No, it is NOT over. It is riveting show.
http://www.c-span.org/Live-Video/C-SPAN3/
I can not turn it off… 🙂
Shulman is just pathetic.
I’m really enjoying this.
http://www.breitbart.com/InstaBlog/2013/05/22/Rep-Throws-the-Book-the-Constitution-at-Former-IRS-Chief and watching Shulman and George on C-Span.
I would be transported to see a hearing into FATCA, or see them having to answer to the issues raised by the TAS in her reports as to the treatment of those deemed US persons ‘abroad in general.
@Badger…
I am tweeting every last Representative if they have a twitter account, as they are testifying, these very questions. Both FATCA and OVDP FBAR penalties and links to TAS reports . I am adding the #IRS hashtag, which I see C-span is following, don’t know if they will every see them, but some staffer for one Representative retweeted me, so you never know if it will plant a thought that will germinate latter..
Thanks for your good work in real time, Just Me!
(All this time for today’s chapter of the hearings and only one short bathroom break is amazing. Pretty thorough in the questioning IMHO.)
@Just Me
Thanks! On now…….and look forward to watching the video
BTW for all, the RNC’s FOIA request includes Mr. Shulman’s communications re: from Jan 2010 to May 22 2013