WASHINGTON - IRS officials continue colleague finger-pointing while congressional inquiries probe deeper into the agency's inner workings. Most voters believe the Internal Revenue Service broke the law when it targeted conservative groups, but very few think any government employees will be charged with criminal activity.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of Likely U.S. Voters think the IRS broke the law when it targeted Tea Party and other conservative groups. Just 24% disagree, while nearly as many (23%) are not sure.
However, those involved are acting as if they're concerned someone may be charged with criminal activity.
Former IRS head Lois Lerner, who announced her decision to retire earlier this week, is now reportedly having her attorneys work out an immunity arrangement with House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa. Lerner has been subpoened to re-appear before Issa's committee, where she invoked the Fifth Amendment rather than answering the committee's questions about alleged IRS targeting of Tea Party and other conservative groups.
Last week, Issa staffers revealed discovered emails from Lerner to IRS colleagues that could be used to show political preferences involving cases being investigated by the IRS.
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