Griffin: Investigation Finds "Lois Lerner May Have Broken the Law,' Time For Justice Department to Hold Her Accountable

Statement

Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02), a member of the Ways and Means Committee, issued the following statement after the Committee voted to request that the Justice Department (DOJ) pursue criminal investigation of former Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Exempt Organizations Division Director Lois Lerner:

"The Ways and Means Committee has concluded that former top IRS official Lois Lerner, who pled the fifth twice before Congress, did not execute her job impartially and issued orders to IRS employees to discriminate against conservative groups using extra scrutiny, audits and even proposed denial of exempt status. She gave a pass to non-profit groups friendly to the Obama Administration and focused on targeting those who are not. She also went against internal IRS protocols, interfered with the independent appeals process, and knowingly misled the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Based on the evidence the Committee has uncovered during our investigation into abuses of power at the IRS, Lois Lerner may have broken the law, and the Justice Department now must do its duty and hold Lerner accountable for her actions."

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