I know, I know — tell us anything we don’t understand. Although Hunter’s computer and financial issues are well known, as the flood shifts in the US, more rocks may be turned over to reveal the collections of insects that are hidden beneath them.  ,
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On Tuesday, the watchdog group Empower Oversight sent a notice to Chuck Grassley, who chairs the Judiciary Committee. Tristan Leavitt, the organization’s leader, describes how the IRS retaliated against Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, who allege the firm erred by excluding them from the Hunter Biden taxes case investigation.  ,
The agents assert that they were fired as retribution for “protected leak disclosures.” Additionally, they were removed from the class IRS International Tax and Financial Crimes. The agents filed complaints with the U. S. Office of Special Counsel ( OSC), as did Empower Oversight. In 2023, those complaints were made.  ,
Leavitt notes in the letter that the OSC confirmed via email on December 30 that the IRS had certainly issued gag orders to the agents as retaliation for their secured disclosures. Leavitt continues, adding that neither the IRS nor the Department of Justice have been held responsible for retaliating against the agencies despite the fact that the incident occurred 20 months before.  ,
Lake goes on to say that Shapley and Ziegler’s abuse did not result in their being removed from their roles. Shapley has been passed over for offers despite his command features, ability, and information. According to the email, Shapley’s job duties have been changed, he has faced unfair investigation, has been isolated, and has had to deal with new requirements when requesting assent to perform his duties, including key situation decisions and plain travel authorizations.  ,
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Notable is the fact that the IRS control secretly amended a request for an inspection by Shapley in January of this year. The move was made to cover up the difficulties made by management and give the impression that Shapley had requested something in the last minute. In fact, he had submitted it a month earlier.  ,
Once more, we see that the abuse is more than just the procedure; it serves as an example to additional federal workers to overlook strength crimes both within and without the IRS. Leavitt writes:
This leak privileges system is completely ineffective. These devoted open employees abide by the law and swear by their vows. They have been waiting incessantly for administrative and legal procedures that should have brought about their long-awaited release from the clutches of those who retaliated against them.
Keep your mouth shut, reporters, if actual corrective behavior is not taken immediately. No one will ever speak away again if IRS senior management does bully and destroy these public servants ‘ jobs with no consequences for the reporters or no lasting solution for the retaliators.
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According to Leavitt, the IRS may hold those responsible for their actions if there was better management there, adding that the agency already lacks any fresh leadership. Since the new leadership has only been in place since January 20, let’s face it: Trump and his team are likely to make strides in that direction.