Whistleblowers file a motion to intervene in Hunter Biden's suit against the IRS

[mystery-ak]

Whistleblowers file a motion to intervene in Hunter Biden's suit against the IRS

The IRS Whistleblowers intervene in the first son's lawsuit to ensure their interests are represented, according to Empower Oversight.
By Steven Richards

Published: May 17, 2024 5:42pm

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IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler have filed a motion to intervene in Hunter Biden's lawsuit against their agency in which he alleged the whistleblowers unlawfully disclosed his personal tax information.

"They filed [the motion] so they can do what the IRS has failed to: make clear that their protected disclosures were legal, pursuant to whistleblower protection laws, and critical to safeguarding the principle of equal treatment under the law regardless of party or familial relationship," Tristan Leavitt of Empower Oversight, who represents Shapley, posted to X.

According to Empower Oversight, Hunter Biden's suit wrongfully alleges that the whistleblowers "violated tax secrecy and federal privacy statutes."

Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler originally brought concerns to the House Ways and Means Committee that the Justice Department had provided preferential treatment to Biden during the probe into his alleged tax violations, including by blocking search warrants and limiting the investigators’ pursuit of information related to then-candidate Joe Biden, Hunter Biden's father.

Because the whistleblowers' disclosures to the House committee are protected by law, specifically under section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code, Shapley and Ziegler's legal teams believe the IRS failure to call for the dismissal of the lawsuit could indicate the agency is participating in an effort to retaliate against them.

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https://justthenews.com/accountability/whistleblowers/whistleblowers-file-motion-intervene-hunter-bidens-suit-against-irs

[mystery-ak]

Advocates for IRS whistleblowers accuse Special Counsel Weiss of retaliation, misleading: ‘Smear campaign’
Republicans have long accused Hunter Biden investigator David Weiss of trying to 'cover his tracks' after offering president's son a 'sweetheart' deal
By Fred Lucas Fox News

Lawyers for two IRS whistleblowers who informed Congress about the Hunter Biden criminal probe are seeking an inspector general investigation into Special Counsel David Weiss, alleging he "hid and twisted" information – prompting more angst on Capitol Hill amid inquiries into Biden family conduct and alleged politicization of the Justice Department.

Empower Oversight, the legal group representing IRS special agents Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, allege that Weiss’ team – in a March 11 federal court filing – deliberately misled the public by suggesting an unnamed federal agency was investigating the two whistleblowers for misconduct. However, the vague reference to the "potential investigation(s)" is a reference to a probe the whistleblowers sought, alleging the Justice Department and IRS were retaliating against them for their disclosures.

Shapley and Ziegler testified last year to Congress alleging political considerations led the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service to go soft on its probe of Hunter Biden’s finances. Now, they have taken fire from both the defense and prosecution, noted House Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer, R-Ky.

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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/advocates-irs-whistleblowers-accuse-special-counsel-weiss-retaliation-misleading-smear-campaign