The Obama administration is beginning to act a lot more like the Nixon White House ever day.
Sarah Hall Ingram, a top IRS employee, reportedly shared confidential taxpayer information with several people at the White House, according to The Daily Caller. The IRS official who was previously grilled by Congress over her participation in scrutinizing the tax-exempt status of conservative groups, is making headlines once again.
Evidence for this claim came through emails that were turned over to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. They provide proof that Ingram did share taxpayer information with Jeanne Lambrew, the deputy assistant to the president for health policies, as well White House health policy advisor Ellen Montz, according to The Daily Caller.
It was also disclosed that Ingram “visited” the White House 155 times to meet with Lambrew. 155 times! What was she doing, going for coffee?
At the time, there was an ongoing lawsuit filed by several non-profits, because they opposed the contraception mandate in the Affordable Care Act, according to The Daily Caller. The two women supposedly shared information intended to update the Obama administration on progress.
The oversight panel found large sections redacted and labeled with the number 6103. Section 6103 of the IRS code forbids any employee from sharing confidential information gathered through tax forms.
Not surprisingly while testifying before the committee, she was asked about those redacted areas – Ingram answered, “I don’t recall the document so I can’t help you with what’s underneath that redaction.”
Presently, Ingram heads the IRS division responsible for implementing Obamacare. They are charged with documenting the law making sure Americans purchase the required healthcare or pay a tax penalty if they fail to do so.
Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan was one of many congressmen who questioned Ingram.
“You shared personal taxpayer information with the White House, and now under the Affordable Care Act, Americans have to give personal information to the IRS, to the same organization that potentially shared all kinds of information with the White House political people. That’s what people are nervous about. That’s what scares a lot of people,” he said.
The IRS declined to comment on the Ingram visits.
The reason given?
The government shutdown.
