NEW: Senior GOP ask OSC Kerner to “immediately investigate all allegations of retaliation against these IRS whistleblowers…In addition, we request that you immediately seek the appropriate disciplinary actions..”Briefing requested July 19. @ChuckGrassley @RepJamesComer… pic.twitter.com/KmV2zXonKg
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) July 5, 2023
The letter submitted Wednesday to OSC chief Henry Kerner also alleges that IRS and DOJ officials failed to make clear that IRS employees may make protected disclosures to Congress if they suspect wrongdoing by law enforcement officials or individuals who filed a tax return. It was signed by House Judiciary Committee chairman Jim Jordan, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Chuck Grassley, and Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee on Investigations ranking member Ron Johnson.
“The importance of protecting whistleblowers from unlawful retaliation and informing whistleblowers about their rights under the law can not be understated. After all, it is the law,” the Republicans wrote. In addition the investigation and disciplinary measures, the lawmakers are requesting a briefing from OSC about the status of the investigation by July 19.
[The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is different than a “special counsel” such as Jack Smith or John Durham. OSC exists as a permanent agency independent of the DoJ or Treasury, which derives its authority in part from the Whistleblower Protection Act. They have the first jurisdiction on matters of retaliatory acts against whistleblowers, but Congress can and should investigate this as well. — Ed]
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