Criminal charges not expected in IRS probe

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Market Watch:

WASHINGTON—The Federal Bureau of Investigation doesn’t plan to file criminal charges over the Internal Revenue Service’s heightened scrutiny of conservative groups, according to law-enforcement officials, a move that likely will only intensify debate over the politically charged scandal.

 

The officials said investigators didn’t find the kind of political bias or “enemy hunting” that would amount to a violation of criminal law. Instead, what emerged during the probe was evidence of a mismanaged bureaucracy enforcing rules about tax-exemption applications it didn’t understand, according to the law-enforcement officials.

 

While the case is still being investigated and could remain open for months, officials familiar with its progress said it is increasingly unlikely any criminal charges will result. That could change, the officials cautioned, if unexpected evidence is discovered that alters their thinking.

 

With this year’s midterm elections heating up, the FBI’s decision will feed both parties’ stories about why -- or whether -- the IRS scandal mattered.

 

Since the outset, Republicans have voiced skepticism that the Obama administration would properly investigate itself. Last week, Rep. Darrell Issa (R., Calif.), chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, challenged the impartiality of a Justice Department prosecutor handling the case because she had made donations to the Obama campaign.

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The investigation is going about as well as expected...

[Valin]

Market Watch

 

WASHINGTONThe Federal Bureau of Investigation doesnt plan to file criminal charges over the Internal Revenue Services heightened scrutiny of conservative groups, according to law-enforcement officials, a move that likely will only intensify debate over the politically charged scandal.

 

Did anyone expect that there would be? Or that anyone in charged would be really punished?