IRS Lambasted After Reportedly Targeting Conservative Groups
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The IRS is under fire for targeting conservative groups requesting nonprofit status.
Political reporter Pat Warren has more on the fallout in Maryland.
The allegations have raised widespread questions about the integrity of the agency.
Revelations that the IRS used its power to grant tax-exempt status as a political guillotine. Groups using the words "Constitution," "Tea Party" and "Patriot" were allegedly discriminated against for their conservative political views.
"I will not tolerate it and we will make sure we find out exactly what happened on this," said President Barack Obama.
Maryland Congressional leaders called the agency on the carpet.
"This is shocking to the conscience," said Congressman Elijah Cummings.
"This is the United States of America and we don't stand for that," said Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger.
"Corrections need to be made because if they're not made right now, then things can only get worse," Cummings said.
"The concern is there," said Art Abramson.
Art Abramson of the Baltimore Jewish Council reacts to a report that a pro-Israel group was also targeted for questioning administration policies.
"Anybody who belongs to a church, a synagogue, mosque or for anybody who happens to be a member of the Boy Scouts, etc., that for some reason or other, somebody doesn't like a belief and the next thing, they end up being targeted by the IRS," Abramson said.
Others question the agency's integrity.
"We weren't targeted but the fact of the matter is the IRS targeted groups that disagree with the president's agenda," said Nick Loffer, Americans For Prosperity.
Just what those facts are is a topic for Congressional investigation. A hearing is scheduled for Friday.
The acting chief of the IRS says his agency demonstrated a lack of sensitivity when it singled out conservative political groups.
