WASHINGTON, D.C. – New information provided by a key Internal Revenue Service (IRS) whistleblower’s counsel alleges that an IRS employee is being retaliated against — a potential violation of whistleblower protection laws — for seeking to share information with Congress. The whistleblower previously sent a letter, through legal counsel, to Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) requesting an investigation into concerns regarding allegations of misconduct in the handling of a high-profile case at the IRS and the Department of Justice.
On April 27, 2023, during a hearing before the Committee on Ways & Means, under questioning from Chairman Smith, IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel pledged to Congress that there would be no such retaliation against this or any whistleblower seeking to make disclosures to Congress. The new communication from the whistleblower’s counsel raises serious concerns about whether Commissioner Werfel is honoring that pledge, notes Chairman Smith in a new statement:
“This most recent communication concerning allegations of retaliatory actions against a whistleblower, appears to contradict the sworn testimony by Commissioner Werfel who pledged that whistleblower protections would be upheld. Congress’s duty to hold government agencies accountable relies on the availability and willingness of individuals to speak out about wrongdoing. Not only does retaliation like this discourage whistleblowers, it can also rise to the level of an illegal...
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