The IRS Scandal of the Century

Jay Sekulow the IRS scandal of this talk about that more taken from calls live from Washington DC, seven year span of representing clients targeted by the IRS, the ACLJ represented more than 41 tea party and conservative groups for more than 22 states sound familiar to overdo it with his parents right now so familiar with how we've been fighting the deep state. This was the first shot fired back at the deep state was fired by the American Center for Law and Justice. It's the biggest agency to deal with that is the Internal Revenue Service. That's right, the most feared well it used to be the most feared until the Washington Post said because of what we did to it.

The ACLJ it was gutted and it still is to this day. So from April 2010 to May 2013. Our clients received hundred and 17 targeting letters from IRS officials. These questionnaires demanded that our client set aside their constitutional rights at the request of government bureaucracy. 18 of those letters of course were signed by Lois Lerner herself. 42 letter sent to 28 of our clients after May 2012 with the IRS claims their discriminatory heightened scrutiny had ended so they were still doing it.

They asked about things like prayers.

They asked for donor list. They asked for text of speeches. These were both 501(c)(3) 501(c) for groups and subgroups who just because they had the name of liberty in their title got caught up in this targeting scheme by the top officials at the IRS, we exposed how Lois Lerner really wanted to move from the bureaucracy into the Obama administration and dad.

We had the FBI try to get involved with our client jealous because the what happened was the FBI was notified Bay because of Lois Lerner, Lois Lerner said let's get the FBI and the FTC involved with this we can just bring one criminal case. We have all these letters and we got all this from foyer and from our litigation if we can get one criminal case against when the tea party group. Their influence that was a position that was being advocated at that point by the Department of treasury. The Internal Revenue Service now. What's also interesting there is that we did a frontal attack on this. We went to federal court seeking injunctive relief, monetary damages, and so forth. Not here's what's so interesting about the fact that the IRS finally after years of litigation conceded there corrected the policies implemented new procedures consented to an injunction tells you how serious this really what was wrongdoing at the highest highest level of the Internal Revenue Service and the ACLJ got to the bottom of why my talking about that today because it's whether it's the IRS or what's been going on with Flynn or the unmasking we have been involved in the wind and the leaders in these issues for decades. Yes this came to a close, not that long ago but you might you need a reminder's December 2017 when we posted on ACLJ.org that five years ago. No one would've believed that this victory was possible that we are taking on the Obama administration's IRS the most feared bureaucratic agency in federal court over the politically motivated targeting of conservative and tea party groups and by the way, all those bad actors, the IRS our God outlaw God now and are a lawsuit not only prompted the IRS to admit in federal court that it wrongfully targeted these groups during the Obama administration, but also issued an apology to our clients for doing so. In addition, the IRS consented to a court order prohibiting it from ever engaging in this form of unconstitutional discrimination future or else the IRS admits that it targeted the conservatives and tea party groups based on their viewpoint that we have put together over these years, a documentary that covers all of this.

It's available now and ACLJ fields.com for free or if you have Amazon prime is free there. It's called targeting us.

The people's fight against the IRS. This is a timely moment to watch this documentary by Dantes impulsive you want to get feel like you're in the battle get this video watch it ACLJ films.com or Amazon prime targeting us challenges facing Americans for substantial time and or value freedom sort constitutional rights are under attack more important than ever to stay with the American Center for Law and Justice for decades ACLJ has been on the frontlines protecting your freedoms defending your rights in court in Congress to get in the public arena and we have an exceptional track record of success. But here's the bottom line we could not do our work without your support, we remain committed to protecting your religious and constitutional freedoms than remains our top priority, especially now during these challenging times. The American Center for Law and Justice is on your side, you're already a member. Thank you for your thoughts.

Well, this is the perfect time to stand with us ACLJ.org where you can learn more about her life changing become a member today ACLJ only one.

A society can agree that the most vulnerable invoice is, is there any hope for that culture to survive. And that's exactly what you are saying when you stand with the American Center for Law and Justice, defendant the right to life. We've created three powerful publication offering a panoramic view of the ACLJ's battle for the unborn is called mission life will show you how you are personally pro-life major ACLJ pro-life cases nations on the care means to serve the many ways your membership is empowering the right question for you, life online ACLJ/Jay Sekulow this Jordan secularity or phone calls to because this really was the beginning of the battle against the deep status under the Obama administration.

So the battle is that much tougher because you didn't have allies at the Department of Justice. You have Ally Muir fighting the IRS, the FBI try to go after our clients. Sound familiar. Again, they try to after Mike, they still are my Flynn you know the President try the same tactics, but they were working together know you mean that limit. I remember the day Washington DC that we were at our DC office and the FBI wanted to interview some of our clients and we said no, we are no longer cooperating with the IRS were going to court right so the negotiating. It was the FBI was a will. They were interviewing wanted to be rocklike because it was any potential wrongdoing they want to get right out of sight. Mike my trust level was zero.

At that point I was before all this acted 10 years before I recently met with them. We didn't let them meet with our clients and we said you know were not doing that we are not can participate in this because we think it's a charade they would never tell us exactly what the point was exactly what they were looking at lots and we were not to put our clients in that situation. So what we do. We went to federal court. You know, we ultimately gonna play the soundbite first and that is the Ira started doing this in 2010 from talk about 10 years ago, and for over two years, the media thought it was just a silly conspiracy.

Barry, this is a bunch of right-wingers. They don't know what they're doing but you know what it ended up resulting in this they use names like tea party patriots and they selected cases, simply because the application had those names in the time that was wrong.

The IRS would like to apologize for that first file we said I'll say again that apology was not except we went to federal court to get justice. That's number one number two they they is what Lois Lerner said she's had a tax-exempt that you mean you you came up with a be on the lookout list, a bolo list.

So why would bringing it up today because we see the culmination of the last months of always follow investigations Moeller in Ukraine and the Russia gate and ends up being nothing what happens each and every time.

This is sometimes Congress. Sometimes it's the deep state actors. Here's one where it was not until Pres. was to you. That's why we named the film, targeting us, the people's fight against the IRS and it's available ACLJ films.com or Amazon prime and by the way, if you go to ACLJ films.com or on Amazon prime. Look it up. You see a lot of movie several movies by the ACLJ, we want to encourage you we do these documentaries to watch a movie to see bits and pieces of it.

I hear bits and pieces of it today, but it is definitely worth watching.

You learn a lot about what's happening you absolutely mean this is something again. I want to be a reregister play that some clips for folks close to what I mean just to get a sense if you're listening you're going to get a sense of of what you will be seeing because this is this is visual to but if you're watching Facebook and periscope as well. We wanted to just come to give you some glimpse into why because again you I go back is like what I was talking to Sean Hannity about his book and and how sometimes you got it.

You gotta take the time to retell stories because there's so many facts over such a long period of time and you don't want to forget because you don't what history to repeat itself and and we don't want to have to continue battling the deep state forever and answered. Take a listen from the new documentary available@acljfilms.com or Amazon prime. It's free targeting us. The people's fight against the IRS and guys make sure I tweet out the link right after the show to the debate to our website so the people you see the film targeting us. The people's fight against the IRS. Here's a first video clip the opening sequence of the filled as Y would you say she party cases were very dangerous on the advice of my counsel, I respectfully exercise my Fifth Amendment right and declined to answer that question they were breaking the law are violating our rights. There was some boneheaded decisions known in the last election not amassed a smidgen was the tip of the iceberg. It was far worse than even we expect the IRS is finally released a list of political something that no one can believe doing weight, no accountability. Never before has the federal government trying to everyday Americans only because of their political view that as long as against Lois Lerner was, fighting the American's the going to be the largest American history. My name is Kevin Wilson and Carol this this this is called DLJ film you want to know about the deep state action in a real case went to real court got a real result. Then go to ACLJ films.com or Amazon prime targeting us. The people's fight against the IRS and by the way you support the work of the ACLJ. Guess what, we get to produce these documentaries were due to documentary on Bronson were working on some of the really great creative content. I can give you the details of it yet but it's something very innovative. That's it impact your family a very good waste were very excited about that content is important to be ACLJ when you're supporting the ACLJ NACLJ got all your supporting our work in courts around the country was multifaceted that this movie is a perfect example targeting us. The people's fight against the artist, the movie was done to educate people about what was going on at the same time. Your donation support was supporting the movie in the production of the movie. Guess what else was happening. We were in federal court, winning the case, which we ultimately did so, that is your case that your support of the ACLJ in action. We had our clients testify before Congress. You are testify before Kaiser we were again this was was a Kevin new a step for the ACLJ because what happened was back in 2012. You start getting all these contacts.

These are small groups.

Again I make the comparison will perhaps thing today or help of these churches in California or parrots with the education issues can for law firms and can afford attorneys to handle these situations. These are small grassroots groups. Just trying to get their legal status so they could fund raise so they could rent buses so they could get insurance things like click and hold events and do so legally. They voluntarily submitted themselves to the IRS oversight they were trying to break the law and we started getting calls and calls and calls of dozens of of specific tea party groups and other conservative groups were being harassed and Ed so that what happened was they were being denied they just kept getting more questionnaires and finally, these groups realized with these questionnaires.

This is not the normal IRS procedure. This is this is directed us were being targeted looks like, so we better talk to some lawyers, so they got the mayor consider flaw adjusted that we just explained our people they support the work ACLJ.

This was just a load to get to that decision that we read from the IRS. You have the consent order say you can never do this again or else it and admitting the wrongdoing rating for satiating their procedures gutting the IRS as the Washington Post called it really change the whole about people even view the IRS the states right. It took five years so I beat it took considerable financial those donations the cub into the ACLJ. This is five years of work representing America go through the list that we have here is a Colorado 912 project, the American patriots against government access San Antonio tea party Shenandoah Valley tea party Patriots Wetumpka tea party. The OKC PIA association with the Richmond tea party Hawaii tea party Rochester to private this this this goes on for two more pages for five years we represented all the slide out in federal court is a few secure donations don't matter. Folks, they absolutely do.

It is the reason why were able to take down government agencies like the IRS, which we did and why were able to fight so hard against the deep state and really put them under a microscope. What we did.

Because of the work at the IRS, we decided to open up the unit inside the ACLJ. Calder, government affairs and I'm holding my hand the first of the lessons. The first was most recent report that that committee gives on the freedom of information act litigation or Government accountability Project.

That's just the beginning and I want to tell you something. Your support makes this happen to again use.

Thank you for all of you for standing with us. So whether it is fighting in court on a Pfizer abuse or whether it is litigating for religious freedom here in the United States around the globe standing up for individuals or targeted by the IRS. Your support of the ACLJ makes all the difference. We have that movie available for you for free ACLJ films.com or on Amazon prime. It's called targeting us. The people's fight against the IRS, we encourage you to watch it listen to it. Here's more excerpt from today.

Yeah just to provide you about this kind of work these years long battles in the work you are doing on behalf of the says parents right now are able do it at no cost and were able to take down government agencies and take hold and account for their wrongdoing. Go to ACLJ.org building today.

Tax deductible will be right back and play more from targeting us only when a society can agree that the most vulnerable invoice is, is there any hope for that culture to survive. And that's exactly what you are saying when you stay in with the American Center for Law and Justice, defendant the right to life. We've created three powerful publication offering a panoramic view of the ACLJ's battle for the unborn Gold edition like it will show you how you are personally publication includes a look at all ACLJ cases powering the right question for you, online ACLJ/challenges facing Americans or substantial freedom sword constitutional rights are under attack more important than ever to stay with the American Center for Law and Justice on the frontlines protecting your freedoms defending your rights in courts in Congress to get in the public arena and we have an exceptional track record of success. But here's the bottom line we could not do our work without your support, we remain committed to protecting your religious and constitutional freedoms that remains our top priority, especially now during these challenging times.

The American Center for Law and Justice is on your side, you're already a member.

Thank you for your thoughts. Well, this is the perfect time to stand with us, ACLJ.org, where you can learn more about her life changing from a member today ACLJ compares to a great number so that people just reminding themselves about this IRS scandal, how bad it was that what the ACLJ was able to get justice for so many conservative groups and either we got it we represented the 40+ groups who were willing to find out the IRS, but by waiting we really wanted for so many other groups who maybe were a little bit afraid of taking on the IRS weren't sure if they wanted to get involved in a legal matter. We see this time. Time to get the ACLJ were people very gung ho.

But first about your filing lawsuits and things like that and then suddenly when you file a lawsuit.

A it's a big deal, even if it doesn't cost you anything. So the victory though isn't just for the 41 clients. The victory is for every one of those nonprofits out there on both sides of the aisle. They can't be treated like this by the IRS ever again or else they are in serious trouble with the IRS and the IRS admitted to viewpoint discrimination viewpoint targeting, but it all started with these letters and I would play for you so share this with your friends and family Facebook in Paris was a great show to share on Facebook and periscope is very visual and is still good for radio to his audio is excellent.

This is coming from our documentary set out on ACLJ films.com or on Amazon prime. It's actually free called targeting us. The people's fight against the IRS.

Take a listen because this is how it all started that we will all way through 2011 one our toxins. We would do the right thing. We want good citizens were trying to help them help us nothing until we get into January 2012 and January 2012 I received this letter with a questions and as a first course once we had with them at all and it came out of the blue were to shock to me just came in the mail and then I start to read these questions and that's when things really got interesting time. It was 10 years later we got a letter saying they wanted all this information is a seven-page letter.

We all knew immediately was not ranked. We finally get a letter from the IRS telling us that they will not approve answer almost 90 questions and if you don't answer these taken out 30 questions 77 sub bullets to mediate different requirements, litigation for a living against the IRS to show the letter that I got from the IRS. Not only was filled with egregious questions, but it gave me a very short timeline and a window to answer those questions with the paperwork I said I said something wrong what it is.

I'm not sure what's going on. This is something is wrong.

This is not that they should even be going in this direction on any of these questions are questions about family members of boards questions about donors and activity beyond just the normal list of donors with their activities and affiliations were as well so again, that is just how it all started those newsletters letters about family members letters about donor list low letters about content of speeches we think about this events do you attend like church and political events. Where do you have a transcript of the speech. We know this is a very local grassroots of your transcript and a video of it.

Even these days for technology it's it's very of these work very grassroots organization and they wanted. All they wanted actually in some of the questions they wanted backdoor access to their websites so they could go in and see the the back door of the website to see what was going on, which would give them access to everything the organization done including decisions they made like hey we should be doing this. This would be wrong. So what's up with this or website me that's illegal to make a decision to say Discussions you write every step. That's what they were. They wanted to see if they could bring criminal charges. You realize that just like they did with Mike Flynn there.

Try to find a way, as we found out that with him emails because we got the FBI.

The FBI got involved. How could they bring criminal charges, at least against one of these groups, so they'd all back off in the Prez Obama would have to deal with is their idea was if we could get one just one case. One case that goes criminal that in the stop always grew from having any kind of influence will scare the witches politically motivated. Jordan said in the order we got the settlement basic technology viewpoint discrimination. That is one of the worst forms of discrimination, but like asking for donor list violates the First Amendment united states constitution who your relatives spoke with on political campaigns violates freedom of association. What elected officials met violates your members met with violates freedom of association. What petitions you initiated violated the right to petition your government for redress of agreements but came to a point where we had to get involved and you know it's interesting as well that when you look at the timeline so 2012, he of the starts the letter start guy we start getting contacted because of what the IRS did you we went public with this those giant rallies on Capitol Hill we be speaking at with senators and members of Congress and grassroots leaders and thousands of people would show up this of this out of the grounds the capital right for the US capital is being covered by all the news outlets. Guess what happened in 2014. This backfired on the Obama administration significantly. Not only the Republicans can't retain control of the House of Representatives. They took back the Senate so for the facet. Further, Prez Obama's final two years in office. He had absolutely zero ability to pass any legislation but I think it is important that how do we get involved so to the groups get the letters that the ACLJ gets involved yet. Let's go and play it for years I had watched Fox News and of course Jay is a regular contributor and guest on Fox News and I had always seen the things that ACLJ represented in the fights that they find for people that are unlawfully present in other countries and Christian groups had always admired him so much. So Toby had gone through all the work on that one day she called me and I was at one of the hospitals is working at a conference call at such and such time and I might well be on the road at that time that if I call in from the car yet. What is me talking makes LJ and I want now. Several of us on their timeline.

Paschal Simon left the place was working and headed on home and I'm going and I 35 and I can remember exactly where I was at in the conference call started and Jay Sekulow coming out of the speakers in my car just like he was on the call, but he just listened. he needed saving from like half an hour okay and these worries are common through the phone line for all these people saying oh yeah they want to know what books we were worrying we want to report work.

we wanted to know how many of your board members have ever run for political office and we want their family name the needs of their family members. if any of them for political office and we want to know if their planned run for political office will jay sekulow just said right now. we will represent all of you for this.

this is completely wrong. this is something i've never seen this report before the ACLJ is going to stand up and fight for you. in this case and that was a huge relief because until then, we were sure how we can fight back with a large conference call was at everybody was being asked the same thing all these different offices. they were trying to shut down that they disagreed with barry mercer. the movie is available for free ACLJ films.com. it's called targeting his fight against the irs is also available at amazon prime would also support the work of ACLJ ACLJ data makes all possible ACLJ's been on the frontlines protecting your freedom is defending your rights in court in congress and in the public arena. the american center for law and justice is on your side. if you're already a member thinking you're not well this is the perfect time to stand with us, aclj.org, where you can learn more about our life-changing work become a member today ACLJ