The retired IRS worker, receiving full pay and benefits, at the center of the scandal targeting conservative non profit groups attempting to exercise their first amendment rights without punitive measures taken against them once again refused to answer the questions posed to her by congress.
Lois Lerner instead invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination nine times during the House Oversight Committee hearing, prompting Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) to adjourn the session within minutes of its beginning.
“My council has advised me that I have not waived my Constitutional rights under the Fifth Amendment and on his advice I will decline to answer any question on the subject matter of this hearing,” she said in response a question from Issa.
The California congressman continued, asking Lerner a series of question regarding her alleged involvement in the IRS targeting scandal. But each question was met with the Fifth Amendment.
“On the advice of my council I respectfully exercise my Fifth Amendment right and decline to answer that question,” she said in response to the chairman’s inquiries.
House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) said Sunday on Fox News Sunday that he was certain Lerner would testify at the hearing, but was ultimately proven wrong.
Lerner is the former head of the IRS division that handles applications for tax-exempt status and which she admitted inappropriately targeted conservative groups for extra scrutiny. Lerner has refused to answer questions about her role in the scandal since revealing the targeting last year.