Lois Lerner Officially Out At IRS

Lois Lerner, the former IRS Director of Exempt Organizations, and the official at the heart of the tea party targeting scandal, is officially retiring.  The IRS made the announcement today, though it did not elaborate due to privacy rules.  She has been on paid administrative leave since May of this year.

You may remember Ms. Lerner as the IRS official who famously pleaded the 5th amendment from self-incrimination when subpoenaed to testify before a Congressional committee investigating the targeting of tea party groups who were applying for 501(c)(4) status.  Despite her retirement, she remains subject to investigation and, according to committee chairman, Rep. Darryl Issa, subject to recall before his panel.

Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah, ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee reacted,

Just because Lois Lerner is retiring from the IRS does not mean the investigation is over.  Far from it.  In fact, there are many serious, unanswered questions that must be addressed so we can get to the truth.

Within the past several weeks, official emails have surfaced that strongly suggest Ms. Lerner was actively involved in coordinating the targeting activity, something that corroborates earlier testimony of IRS employees, including Ms. Elizabeth Hofacre.  Ms. Hofacre stated during the time of the initial hearings that the targeting did not originate with front-line agents, as alleged by the IRS brass, but indeed was directed from on top.

One thing is for sure, this story is far from over.