Issa Statement on IRS Official’s Interview after Taking the Fifth Amendment

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., today made the following statement on former Internal Revenue Service official Lois Lerner’s remarks to Politico:

“The American people deserve the opportunity to hear Lois Lerner’s testimony under oath,” said Chairman Issa. “If Lerner had nothing to hide and did nothing wrong in the IRS targeting scandal, she would have chosen to answer basic questions about her conduct instead of obstructing Congress’ investigation.  Her decision to make unsubstantiated claims to a media outlet while claiming Fifth Amendment protections from answering Congress’ questions is telling.  She appears to have great confidence that her allies in the Obama Administration will not consider legal action after she resigned and declined to discuss the IRS’ actions against private citizens.”

The Oversight Committee first sought Lerner’s testimony in May of 2013 and produced a report on March 11, 2014.