House Republicans demand immediate update on investigation into alleged IRS whistleblower retaliation

House Oversight Chairman James Comer, House Budget Chairman Jason Smith and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan on Friday sent a letter to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) demanding an update on the investigation into the Internal Revenue Service’s alleged retaliation against two whistleblowers.

One whistleblower, Gary Shapley, said the agency gave him an ultimatum earlier this month. He had three options: leave his post as a supervisory special agent in Chicago and take a job as a senior analyst in Washington, accept a pay cut and demotion to criminal investigator, or resign/retire.

The letter came after watchdog Empower Oversight notified congressional committees about the alleged retaliation and said OSC’s investigation into the retaliation had only recently begun and that Shapley had been overlooked for two promotions to which he was entitled pending the investigation. .

“The outreach efforts of SSA Shapley and SA (Joseph) Ziegler required courage and bravery. Through their important disclosures, Americans learned how the IRS treats people differently based on their last names,” the chairmen wrote in the letter. “They made legally protected disclosures to Congress that resulted in unrelenting personal and professional attacks against them. But they didn’t flinch.

“Because this case has rightfully received significant public attention, OSC must show the whistleblower community that OSC will take appropriate and immediate action to protect whistleblowers,” they added.

Misty Severy is the evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.