The ongoing probe into the IRS scandal deepened on Tuesday as Lois Lerner, head of the IRS bureau responsible for granting tax-exempt status to organizations, announced through her legal representation that she would invoke the Fifth Amendment and refuse to answer questions regarding her role in the crisis. Lerner was the official in charge of the division when the alleged targeting of conservative-leaning political groups took place.
"She has not committed any crime or made any misrepresentation but under the circumstances she has no choice but to take this course," William Taylor, Lerner's lawyer, wrote in a letter address to Republican Rep. and House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Taylor also requested Lerner be excused from her subpoena to appear before the Oversight Committee, but as of Tuesday night it remained unclear if the hearing would take place in light of her request.
Lerner's actions are likely to fuel further speculation surrounding the scandal, as the events took place prior to President Barack Obama's reelection in 2012. Furthermore, Congressional Republicans eager to tarnish the president's second term appear ready to actively investigate the charges until the mid-term elections in 2014. Making matters worse is the fact that the coming summer is also when legislation regarding immigration, debt reduction and the borrowing limit will be drafted in both houses of Congress.
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