At a hearing Tuesday, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russell George told the Senate Finance Committee that the Treasury Department informed Rep. Darrell Issa’s (R-CA) office of its investigation into the IRS in 2012, and has had communications with this staff since then.
George’s remarks under questioning from Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ):
Menendez: “Inspector General, did Chairman Issa send a letter on August 3rd of 2012 to all the inspector generals reminding them that under the Inspector Generals Act it requires IGs to report particularly flagrant problems to Congress through the agency head within seven days via what has become known as the seven day letter. Did you receive that letter? And, if so, did you respond to inform Chairman Isaa of your investigation into the IRS?”
George: “Senator, we did receive the letter, and Chairman Issa’s committee was the first to actually contact us regarding this matter. And so through the course of engaging the review, on occasion we have had communications with his staff.”
Menendez: “In 2012?”
George: “And since then, yes.”
Menendez: “Thank you.”
