Staff Reports
House Republican leaders have launched an investigation into the Office of Special Counsel to determine if the federal agency was involved in actions that retaliated against two IRS whistleblowers. The whistleblowers, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, are central figures in the investigation of Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden.
According to sources, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders sent a letter to Karen Gorman, acting principal deputy special counsel, requesting a briefing to investigate allegations of a “smear campaign” against Shapley and Ziegler. The GOP leaders are concerned about the alleged retaliation faced by the whistleblowers for their disclosures of wrongdoing.
Washington Examiner: House GOP investigating IRS whistleblower retaliation in Hunter Biden case https://t.co/Xb95hnGIfJ
— Ian Hansen 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHansenFeed) June 17, 2024
The letter, signed by key Republican figures including House Oversight Chairman James Comer, Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, and Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, seeks an impartial investigation into the allegations of retaliation against the two whistleblowers.
Shapley and Ziegler had earlier submitted whistleblower retaliation claims to the OSC, which are currently pending. Shapley’s claim accuses the U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware of prosecutorial misconduct in the investigation of Hunter Biden, alleging retaliation against him after reporting wrongdoing by the office.
The Republican leaders have raised concerns about the handling of a document filed by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, which sparked media speculation about the whistleblowers being under investigation for wrongdoing. The document was related to the OSC investigation into allegations of retaliation against Shapley and Ziegler.
Additionally, the Republican leaders have questioned the OSC’s delay in correcting the public impression caused by the document, emphasizing the significance of protecting the confidentiality of whistleblowers.
The investigation into the OSC by House Republican leaders comes in the wake of Hunter Biden being found guilty on federal gun charges and facing federal tax crime charges. These developments have captured the attention of Republican lawmakers, who are seeking accountability and transparency in the handling of the whistleblower complaints and the OSC’s actions in the matter.
