Politics & Government

Issa Says IRS Official's Retirement Leaves Unanswered Questions

The Republican Congressman said Lois Lerner's retirement does not answer key questions or diminish the Committee's interest in hearing her testimony.

Rep. Darrell Issa said Tuesday the retirement of IRS official Lois Lerner leaves unanswered questions and his oversight committee still wants her testimony.

Lerner, who led the agency's division that handles applications for tax-exempt status, retired Monday after 12 years with the IRS and 30 years in public service. 

The IRS has acknowledged that agents improperly targeted conservative Tea Party groups for extra scrutiny when they applied for tax-exempt status during the 2010 and 2012 elections.

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Issa, a Republican who chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, issued the following statement on Lerner’s departure from the IRS:

“Lois Lerner’s exit from the IRS does not alter the Oversight Committee’s interest in understanding why applicants for tax exempt status were targeted and inappropriately treated because of their political beliefs. 

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"We still don’t know why Lois Lerner, as a senior IRS official, had such a personal interest in directing scrutiny and why she denied improper conduct to Congress. Her departure does not answer these questions or diminish the Committee’s interest in hearing her testimony.”

Last week, Issa's committee circulated a memo to Members offering an interim update on the status of its investigation.

Issa's 44th District includes Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, Del Mar, Camp Pendleton, San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Coto de Caza and Ladera Ranch.


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