House Holds IRS Official Lois Lerner in Contempt of Congress
Former Internal Revenue Service official Lois Lerner is in contempt of Congress. The House of Representatives voted 231-187 Wednesday to hold Lerner in contempt for her refusal to testify during congressional hearings into the IRS, according to the Washington Post.
Lerner has admitted that the tax collection agency targeted group based on sets of keywords, many of which were politically charged. Initial reports indicated only conservative groups were targeted, but new IRS head Danny Werfel later said progressive groups were also singled out using the keywords.
Lerner had asked for immunity from prosecution in exchange for her testimony, according to USA Today.
The Washington DC US Attorney is now in control of Lerner’s contempt case. The matter next goes to a grand jury for review. If Lerner is convicted of contempt of Congress, she’d face up to a year in jail and up to $100,000 in fines, according to the Post.
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