WASHINGTON DC – Randy Sowers, a Maryland dairy farmer who became a national symbol for Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) abuse of structuring laws, is getting his money back.
Mr. Sowers testified before Chairman Peter J. Roskam (R-IL) and the Ways & Means Oversight Subcommittee in May during a hearing on Protecting Small Businesses From IRS Abuse. Both Republicans and Democrats expressed outrage over the IRS and DOJ’s actions to seize the bank accounts of law-abiding American citizens.
Under intense pressure from Congress, the IRS finally agreed to send letters to everyone from whom it had seized assets based on allegations of “structuring” cash deposits. These people, who had done nothing wrong, can finally get some or all of their money back.
Roskam and U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY) introduced bipartisan legislation to prevent this from ever happening again. Roskam released the following statement:
“It’s never too late to do the right thing. I’m glad the IRS stepped up and finally gave Randy Sowers his money back. His case was an affront to justice and the government can never truly compensate him for the ordeal it put him through. I only hope he can take comfort in the knowledge that his bravery and willingness to testify in front of Congress will ensure more American families do not suffer the same indignity.”
