Following a months-long investigation, the FBI does not plan to file criminal charges related to the Internal Revenue Services’ increased examination of conservative groups, according to a new Wall Street Journal Report.
Citing unnamed law enforcement officials, the Journal reported the FBI did not find sufficient evidence of political bias to warrant criminal charges. Instead, investigators reportedly found proof of a poorly managed agency mishandling tax exemption applications by applying rules it did not understand.
Although the case may not close for a few more months, officials said criminal charges would probably only be filed in the event that unanticipated and compelling evidence surfaces.
The decision is sure to instigate a political battle between lawmakers in Washington. In the past, Republicans have attacked President Barack Obama and the White House, saying the IRS demonstrated political bias by screening conservative and Tea Party organizations more aggressively than others, but Democrats have dismissed the accusations, saying the IRS also inspected liberal groups with the same procedure.
As the Journal notes, the probe began after the Treasury General Inspector for Tax Administration found that the IRS “used unfair criteria to select groups for scrutiny among those applying for tax-exempt status.” Worried that partisan groups were trying to gain tax exemption by taking advantage of a tax code section intended for nonprofits, the agency sought out terms and “political sounding” names, such as “Patriots” or “Tea Party.”
Despite the announcement of an investigation, some have taken issue with the way it has unfolded. READ MORE -> http://rt.com/usa/fibi-ch...
