WASHINGTON — IRS Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley’s legal team issued the following statement today in reaction to the appointment of David Weiss as special counsel in the Hunter Biden matter:
“The courageous IRS whistleblowers who risked their careers to inform the American people about problems with the Hunter Biden investigation have been subjected to retaliation and their credibility has been repeatedly attacked. Yet today’s appointment of a special counsel in the Hunter Biden investigation confirms their testimony that such an appointment was necessary to overcome roadblocks accompanying charges against the President’s son by Biden political appointees in D.C. and California. Clearly, Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss did not actually have all the authority he needed before this appointment, contrary to his and Attorney General Garland’s repeated claims to Congress.
“Nevertheless, Weiss is the wrong choice to reassure the American people that the probe will now be independent and thorough. As the IRS whistleblowers have testified, it was under his leadership over the last five years that the President’s son was given preferential treatment, and an unprecedented plea agreement with the President’s son was almost implemented before a federal judge scrutinized it.
“The appointment at this late date raises more serious questions about whether Congress and the American people were intentionally misled. Sworn testimony and multiple letters to Capitol Hill claiming that Mr. Weiss already had all the authority he needed are now contradicted by the Department’s public actions, as well as Mr. Weiss’s private admission that he didn’t have the final say.
“The Inspectors General and Congress should continue to press for answers about the issues raised by the IRS whistleblowers, including the preferential treatment of the President’s son and misleading Congress about the scope of Mr. Weiss’s authority. All of the relevant facts occurred before today’s appointment, and special counsel status does not immunize Mr. Weiss’s office from public scrutiny and accountability.”
Mark D. Lytle, Partner, Nixon Peabody LLC
Jason Foster, Founder & Chair, Empower Oversight
Tristan Leavitt, President, Empower Oversight