Treasury Inspector General to Review Handling of Trump's Taxes

[Dennis Donovan]

Source: NYT



By Alan Rappeport
Oct. 4, 2019, 2:34 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department’s inspector general is investigating how Treasury handled a congressional request for President Trump’s tax returns, which Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has refused to turn over.

The investigation is in response to a request from Representative Richard E. Neal of Massachusetts, the Democratic chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, who has been leading congressional efforts to access Mr. Trump’s financial information. Mr. Trump is locked in a legal battle with House Democrats over the fate of his tax returns and Mr. Mnuchin, one of his closest aides, has said that the House demand is not legitimate because it lacks a true legislative purpose.

“Chairman Neal has asked Treasury O.I.G. to inquire into the process by which the department received, evaluated, and responded to the committee’s request for federal tax information,” said Rich Delmar, Treasury’s acting inspector general. “We are undertaking that inquiry.”

The inquiry comes amid new concerns about political interference in the handling of Mr. Trump’s tax returns, which are under mandatory audit because he is president. An Internal Revenue Service whistle-blower filed a complaint over the summer claiming that senior Treasury officials tried to exert improper influence over the audit.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/04/us/politics/treasury-trump-taxes.html

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[Brainfodder]

1. While we wait for the next stonewall....

Lately he appears to be working hard to LOOK more guilty?

[jmbar2]

2. Meet the Treasury OIG- Eric Thorson

Eric Thorson was nominated to be Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury by President George W. Bush on November 15, 2007 and confirmed by the Senate on August 1, 2008. He was sworn into office on August 12, 2008. As Inspector General, Thorson oversees independent oversight of Treasury keeping the Secretary and Congress informed through independent audits, investigations and reviews to help the Department accomplish its mission; improve its programs and operations; promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness; and prevent and detect fraud and abuse.

Before joining the Treasury, Thorson worked at the Small Business Administration where he served as Inspector General. Prior to this, he served the Office of Personnel Management as Senior Advisor to the Director for Investigative Operations and Agency Planning.

Earlier in his career, he served as Special Assistant to the Senate Republican Leader, Chief Investigator for the Senate Finance Committee and Chief Investigator for the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.
He has also served in the Department of the Air Force as Acting Assistant Secretary and twice as Deputy Assistant Secretary.

Thorson is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has served as an Air Force pilot and is a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

https://www.treasury.gov/about/organizational-structure/ig/Pages/Eric-M.-Thorson.aspx


Seems like a solid guy

[BootinUp]

5. Agreed. Nt

[BootinUp]

3. I think it's a popcorn day/night. Nt

[bluestarone]

4. Anybody have thoughts on this?

Is this good or Bad? I'm hoping this (even if there is an R behind his name) could be a positive?

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

7. How many positions are held by people in "acting" roles?

Even though their term is limited (90 days, I think) they don't need to be confirmed by the Senate, and work with the knowledge their $100,000+ salary could be terminated at their boss's whim (and he has lots of whims).

In the end, Fat Donnie only trusts Ivanka and Jared...and he's not sure of Jared.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

6. K&R