Time: Tue May 27 07:23:08 1997
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Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 07:22:41 -0700
To: (Recipient list suppressed)
From: Paul Andrew Mitchell [address in tool bar]
Subject: SLS: Clinton's Abuse of Power: The IRS (fwd)
<snip>
>To: rightnow@RightNow.Org
>From: elefanceros@gco.com (Elefanceros) (by way of Jack <jack@RightNow.Org>)
<snip>
>
>
>Our nomination for the best description of the Clinton Administration's
>Continued Abuse of Power
>------------------------------------------------
>Excerpted from:
>Investor's Business Daily - May 27, 1997
>
>...At issue are growing suspicions among conservative groups that the IRS
>has been waging a political vendetta against them. They've noticed a
>pattern of rising scrutiny into their activities since Clinton took office,
>and they want to know if that's by design.
>
>A study by the Western Journalism Center, one of the groups audited under
>the Clinton administration, has compiled a list of 21 nonprofit
>organizations (including itself) that it says have been ''targeted'' by the
>IRS through audits or other actions. The list covers some of the most
>influential voices on the right, such as the Heritage Foundation, Christian
>Coalition, National Review and American Spectator.
>
>Commissioner Margaret Milner Richardson testified to Congress in February
>about the allegations. But little has come of the inquiry because of strict
>IRS rules against revealing confidential information on audits.
>
>But the Landmark Legal Foundation watchdog group has found a way around the
>problem: Rather than dig into the audits themseles, find out who may have
>been prodding the IRS to start them.
>
>On Jan. 28, Mark Levin, the group's president, submitted a Freedom of
>Information Act request for copies of documents from individuals or groups
>outside the IRS seeking audits or probes of tax-exempt organizations like
>those on the WJC's list.
>
>That information is public record, and getting it should be routine. But
>four months later, Landmark is still waiting to have its request honored.
>
>Under federal law, covered federal agencies such as the IRS must
>acknowledge a freedom-of-information request within 10 working days.
>
>But Levin got no answer to his first request. He followed up on March 6,
>and the IRS again ignored him. On March 26, Landmark sent an appeal to
>Commissioner Richardson.
>
>Finally, on April 1, the IRS's tax specialist Sharon Baker wrote back
>asking for more time. Ten days later, the IRS told Landmark that ''unless
>you provide a plan to demonstrate how you will actively disseminate the
>requested information, your request for fee waiver will be denied.''
>
>All this looks like stonewalling. Landmark is well-known as an advocate of
>accountable government and already had made its intent clear in its January
>letter.
>
>Coming as it does after Landmark played by the rules for three months, the
>IRS demand for a ''dissemination plan'' looks like just another obstacle.
>Other government agencies play by the FOI rules. Why can't the IRS? Even
>the Commerce Department, despite the potential for damaging publicity, is
>cooperating with Landmark's FOI requests.
>
>The Freedom of Information Act is meant to throw light on government.
>
>We know from experience that when the Clinton administration acts as if
>it's hiding something, it usually is. And when the facts are finally
>dragged out of the White House, they are often explosive - like the true
>story of Webster Hubbell's income, or the list of FBI files requested by
>White House operatives looking for dirt on Republicans.
>
>It's not politics or partisanship to be suspicious how Clinton's IRS is
>handling Landmark's simple requests for openness. It's just the wisdom of
>experience.
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------
> If you're not hearing about what's wrong with the Clinton
> Adminstration, you must be getting your news from
> Dan Rather."
> - Elefanceros
>--------------------------------------------------------------
> Elephants R Us Home Page
> http://www.enteract.com/~wdcook/republicans
> Home of the Hillary-Ometer
>
>
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>
========================================================================
Paul Andrew, Mitchell, B.A., M.S. : Counselor at Law, federal witness
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