The #IRS lied, and some conservative groups died #tcot
— Matt Vespa (@mVespa1) May 17, 2013
We’ve heard plenty of firsthand reports of IRS intimidation from conservatives trying to launch nonprofit groups, but the growing IRS scandal doesn’t stop with bullying the new kids on the block. The Leadership Institue, which was founded by Morton Blackwell in 1979, reports that it was hit with an audit notice in 2011 and was asked to provide 23,430 pages of records on its activities in 2008.
We’ve heard from other conservative groups that were asked to provide lists of the children they mentored, and the Leadership Institute, which recruits and trains conservatives for leadership positions, says the IRS demanded lists of interns and students, copies of training materials and curricula, and documentation showing if there were “students in the programs that are not of the conservative viewpoint.” It’s worth keeping in mind that the group investigating the Leadership Institute’s instructors’ backgrounds is the same agency responsible for this calibre of professional training:
https://twitter.com/amandacarpenter/status/335076595394035712
#IRS targeting the right not new. Scandal should grow. For years IRS has specially AUDITED conservative groups. http://t.co/JS3Rl6QLev
— Morton Blackwell (@MortonBlackwell) May 13, 2013
Drip drip: conservative organization targeted in 2011 for *2008* activity. IRS wanted 23,000 pgs on student activists http://t.co/8mINkN4QVO
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) May 16, 2013
How would you feel if you were specifically named in an IRS query to a Tea Party group? http://t.co/ait8o58e69
— Jason Pye (@pye) May 17, 2013
https://twitter.com/abbyalger/status/335497652953313280
https://twitter.com/abbyalger/status/335497940187627522
Hmm, sounds like those rogue “low-level” employees had quite the reach.
Gabby Hoffman is a regional field coordinator for the Leadership Institute and has some wise words for those asking, “What scandal?” Hey Bette Midler, listen up.
Why am I skeptical of big government? My family lived under tyrannical big government in the USSR. We don't fail for tricks and gimmicks.
— Gabriella Hoffman (@Gabby_Hoffman) May 17, 2013
When big government reaches its full potential and is in full control, you get lawlessness, chaos, and equitable sharing of misery. #tcot
— Gabriella Hoffman (@Gabby_Hoffman) May 17, 2013
https://twitter.com/Gabby_Hoffman/status/335402411155943424
https://twitter.com/Gabby_Hoffman/status/335403013583798272
I have many Russian friends in L.A. They warned me of this years ago. They saw what the average American couldn't or wouldn't see.Sad to say
— Chuck Woolery (@chuckwoolery) May 17, 2013
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