ACLJ: Former IRS Official Lois Lerner’s Refusal to Accept Responsibility For Her Role In IRS Targeting Scandal Represents “Arrogance” And Attempt To “Re-Write History”

(Washington, DC) - The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which represents 41 organizations in a federal lawsuit challenging the IRS, said today former top IRS official Lois Lerner’s comments to Politico reflects “arrogance” on her part – and a “self-serving attempt” to “re-write history.”

“Lois Lerner’s comments about the IRS scandal are nothing more than the first step in a faulty strategy to rehabilitate her public image,” said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ. “Her continued denial that she ‘didn’t do anything wrong’ coupled with her assertion that she’s ‘not sorry’ for anything she did reflects an arrogance that was present during her involvement in the unlawful scheme to target conservatives - and an arrogance that apparently is still present today. Instead of talking with reporters, she should be talking with Congressional investigators.”

Sekulow added: “The evidence - including her own emails - is overwhelming and leaves no doubt that as a former top official of the IRS - she clearly was at the center of an unlawful and unconstitutional scheme to target conservatives and keep them on the sidelines during a critical election. The American people will see this interview for what it truly is - a self-serving attempt to change the record - an attempt to re-write history. It won’t work and we remain more committed than ever to get to the full truth behind this disturbing scandal.”

In its federal lawsuit, 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.