ACLJ Calls IRS Email Disappearance “Stonewalling Tactic” and Calls for Special Prosecutor to Probe Corrupt IRS

(Washington, DC) - The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which represents 41 organizations in a federal lawsuit challenging the IRS, said the recent assertion that the IRS has “lost” two years of critical emails from a former top IRS official is perhaps the most “egregious stonewalling tactic” yet in the Obama Administration’s ongoing effort to cover-up the unlawful targeting scandal.

The IRS has told the House Ways and Means Committee that it has “lost” the emails from former top IRS official Lois Lerner – who’s at the heart of the scandal. The IRS claims a computer glitch wiped out Lerner’s emails from 2009 through 2011 – a critical two-year period at the height of the unlawful scheme targeting tea party and conservative groups.

“To assert that a computer glitch eliminated key evidence in this case is the most egregious stonewalling tactic to date by the IRS,” said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ. “This latest assertion defies logic, makes absolutely no sense, and represents an incredible insult to members of Congress and the American people who demand accountability in an illegal targeting scheme that gets worse with each passing week. After learning the IRS gave the FBI more than a million confidential documents of taxpayer information, the IRS now wants us to believe that critical evidence in the case simply disappeared because of a computer glitch. This Administration’s arrogance and disrespect for the rule of law is at an all-time high.”

The ACLJ is reviewing all legal options to obtain these emails from other sources, which could include additional court filings.

The ACLJ supports the call by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp for an immediate investigation and forensic audit by Department of Justice as well as the Inspector General.

Sekulow says it’s time for a special prosecutor to probe the corrupt IRS.

“We intend to get to the bottom of this unlawful targeting scandal through our federal lawsuit,” said Sekulow. “With these latest troubling revelations, however, it is now more important than ever for a special prosecutor to be appointed to get the truth. The American people deserve the facts – the truth – not an ongoing effort to stonewall and mislead.”

The ACLJ’s federal lawsuit is progressing. The ACLJ represents 41 organizations in 22 states. Of the 41 groups, 26 organizations received tax-exempt status after lengthy delays, 9 are still pending, 5 withdrew applications because of frustration with the IRS process, and 1 had their file closed by the IRS after refusing to answer the unconstitutional requests for more information.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), focusing on constitutional law, is based in Washington, D.C.