ACLJ to Represent Nearly 20 Tea Party Groups Against the IRS Amid Intimidation Claims
- Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:14pm by
Billy Hallowell
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In February, The Blaze asked, “Is the Obama administration using the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to wage a war against opposition voices like the Tea Party?” The question centered upon the allegations from numerous conservative groups that the Obama administration is unfairly targeting them in an effort to stifle their speech.
Now, The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) is stepping forward to represent nearly 20 Tea Party groups against what they believe to be a coordinated partisan attack. According to the ACLJ, a non-profit legal group that works toward “the ongoing viability of freedom and liberty in the United States and around the world,” the IRS asked questions that violate groups’ First Amendment free speech and association rights.
“This appears to be a coordinated attempt to intimidate Tea Party organizations by demanding information that is outside the scope of legitimate inquiry and violates the First Amendment,” a press release quotes Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ, as saying. “These organizations have followed the law and applied for tax exempt status for their activities as Americans have done for decades.”
Jay Sekulow of the ACLJ
The groups that are complaining about seemingly controversial questioning were merely applying for for 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) tax exempt status (non-profit organizations and political groups). You can read some sample questions that were sent to the organizations here.
Sekulow goes on to say that the IRS has gone beyond the realm of rationality in seeking information about the internal workings of various organizations. In addition to inquiring about how members are selected, the questions, he says, delve into issues pertaining to the subjects members discuss, among other issues. In what Sekulow dubbs an “intimidation campaign,” he makes a comparison to similar actions that the IRS took against the NAACP in the 1950s.
“We will aggressively defend our clients and are prepared to take the IRS to court if necessary,” he continues.
And Sekulow may very well know what he’s talking about, considering that he served as a trial lawyer in the IRS Office of Chief Counsel early on in his career. In addition to representing those groups who have claimed discrimination, Sekulow will also be urging Congress to engage in oversight on the issue.
Already, the ACLJ claims that 30,000 Americans have joined in to urge Congress to take action. The petition reads, in part:
Tea Party groups are made up of law-abiding citizens who care deeply about this country. They have followed the law and requested tax-exempt status for their activities just like Americans have done for a hundred years. President Obama’s IRS appears to be using this as an opportunity to intimidate – to silence – these law-abiding citizens from exercising their fundamental First Amendment rights. Incredibly, the IRS is demanding to know who Tea Party members are, who they associate with, who they talk to, and who they meet with. We respectfully ask that the House of Representatives conduct oversight hearings, investigating these intrusive, and to some threatening IRS tactics, which violate the First Amendment rights of Americans.
The Blaze initially told you last month about the Ohio Liberty Council Corp and the list of questions that it received back from the IRS. As a refresher, here are just a few of the additional items the government wanted (with a two-week deadline for the group to comply):
A hard copy printout of the website – A PDF file emailed to the IRS will not suffice (and this is the high-tech Administration)
List all Social Media outlets being used (Facebook, Twitter, etc) and include hard copy printouts of every posting
A narrative description of every activity of your organization since June 30, 2010 (filing date) – And they do not want a mere description of the event, but full details – including; who conducted it, their qualifications, who was allowed to take part in the activities and how they were selected, was there a fee? (how much)
The IRS also wants to know about the members of the group and their roles and more, asking specifically for the “name, address, and corporate federal ID of all organizations that are members of our organization”
Just weeks later the Kentucky 912 Project issued a press release alleging the same issues.
In a separate letter, the ACLJ made the IRS aware of its representation of the Tea Party organizations.
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Comments (70)
83plus
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 8:29pmFinally some one takes the fight right to the ‘investigators’.
Report Post »dutchy
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 2:36amYes, God bless the ACLJ!!
Report Post »jcdaley
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 7:09pmSo, will the ACLJ also check to see if the OWS/leftist groups received 501(c)3 – (c)4 status anytime during the time the IRS started holding the applications??? I know for a fact that there are a couple of very liberal open borders groups in AZ that DID receive their 501(c)4 and in record time (3 weeks!!!!)
Report Post »Obviously the Constitutional tenet of “equal justice” doesn‘t apply when the IRS doesn’t want it too……. guess they needed something for those 15,000 IRS agents to do that they hired in the stimulus bill to set up Obamacare……….
Chuck Stein
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 7:30pmIn trying to make any such comparison, the ACLJ might want to consider a Tax Court case from around 1993 (”The Nationalist Party v. Commissioner). As I recall, in that case, the Petitioner (a political party thay had (has?) a “Nazi”-type “tinge”) complained about Respondent’s denial of 501(c)(3) status. Petitioner wanted to show that the denial was inconsistent with Respondent’s allowing 501(c)(3) status to the NAACP. The Tax Court was able to avoid addressing the disparity in treatment. How? Because Petitioner failed to build an evidentiary record at the administrative stage of the proceedings. So . . .watch out, ACLJ — you will need to jump through all of the hoops for this one.
Report Post »DoubleThrowDown
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 8:13pmWonder when the IRS will go after the AFLJ?
Report Post »Marci
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 10:33pmYou have that right JC. OWS has been given a pass with this as well as obeying the law. They have costs cities in the millions with their filthy activities, crime and disruption.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 7:03pmThis makes me so happy, I was hoping a group would step up to help. Notice it wasn’t the ACLU. Wonder why?
Report Post »Grey Eagle
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 9:36pmACLU does mostly liberals. The IRS is intimidating everyone, not just tea parties.
Report Post »JQCitizen
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:52pmThis Obam Administration is as CROOKED and LAWLESS as the Wilson Administration, but with High-Tech tools at their disposal that Wilson NEVER HAD!!!
Beware, Folks, and let us prepare to support ANY effort to call them and hold them accountable on this!!! CALL, OR E-MAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES!!!
Report Post »zippster
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:44pmKeep your powder dry , I am. There will come a time to chose between liberty and tyranny. It’s time that the government fears the people.
Report Post »Espada
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 7:37pmI love my country.
I hate the bastards in this regime.
Report Post »SimpleTruths
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 11:29pmMark Levin, is that you?
Report Post »TheCoffinMaker
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:38pmYou would think with over 20 million illegal Mexican aliens in our country, the IRS would be a little tapped out with manpower chasing them down.
Why isn’t the IRS tagging the billions of dollars being sent back to Mexico from the illegal Mexican workers in the USA?
Why isn’t the IRS arresting the employers, the landlords, and the banks that are profiting from the illegal Mexicans aliens in the USA?
Oh, that’s right, they’re too busy shaking down conservative Americans.
The government is comprised of a bunch of thugs.
Report Post »4xeverything
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 5:39amShaking us down or not, it may be wise for them to remember that their are way more of us than there are of them. By them I mean everyone from the Rhinos in Congress to the Progressive monsters trying to take away the hardworking American’s bread and butter. I don’t know about you, but it gives me a sense of petulant pride to have my eyes wide open and to be standing with the right side.
Report Post »momsense
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:28pmThis is an absolute farce and nothing but deliberate and targeted harrassment.I helped put together information for a 501c3 and nothing like this eas ever asked. How can anyone begin to answer some stuff–sounds like they are compiling an ” enemies’ list for future harrassment of individuals.
Report Post »JQCitizen
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:59pmMomS:
That was my thought, too! For us to think that is a “bridge too far” would be a HUGE mistake. Apparently this administration has not yet encountered such a bridge yet. They don’t think such a bridge EXISTS, since they are willing to use ANY part of the US Constitution as Toilet Paper!!!
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:26pmGood! Nail his sorry *ss to the wall!
Report Post »John 3:16
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:10pmThe main job of the government is to protect American, Constitutional, Liberty for it’s Free people. If they don’t WE The People WILL REPLACE THEM, IF we are awake, as a free people and a free nation.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:26pmThe Sheeple are still asleep. The big news for most was the release of the new iPad….
Report Post »We wont get their attention until they cant get cash out of an ATM or their welfare check bounces…
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:07pmObama has moved past slander/libel/discrediting attacks; now the move is on to use intimidation pressures to shut down and shut up the tea parties and anyone across the board who dares to try and stand against him and his insane ideology.
The next move will be to use force of arms.
Unless he is defeated via the elections in Nov, we will have a civil war or massacres the like to make Stalin and Mao proud.
Report Post »TxSon
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:07pmYou have obviously never been on the receiving end of a heartless, baseless IRS attack. Filling out paperwork correctly makes absoultely no difference once the IRS decides to persecute you.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:29pmI saw my father lay down and say take me to the IRS when I was about 20 (better than 30 years ago). Unbelieveable, but they left him alone. He refused to cooperate in any way… They went away. I was stunned. He just shot them the finger and said…heck put me in jail or leave me alone…They did.
Report Post »antiencenom
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 9:44pmI remember that Ba ddoggy
Report Post »But what was your Ba Daddys name Curly or was it Larry
antiencenom
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 9:54pmLet me see if I got this right Ba ddoggy they put him in jail and left him alone .The Did.
Report Post »followtheexample
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:02pmTaking on the IRS ..good one clowns….Ha Ha…not afraid of spoooky dude here..but ..maybe..this story will help..not.
Report Post »Micah.Stone
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:49pmThank you, ACLJ !!!!
Report Post »I bet that if all these Tea Party groups would only claim that ALL OF THEIR MEMBER ARE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT criminals, then the ACLU would certainly jump in to defend them, also !!!
marybethelizabeth
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:44pmIf they had filled out the paperwork properly to begin with there would be no story.
But theblaze didn’t ask (report) this story a month ago. They saw it on the rest of the hate nations news services and copied it.
Report Post »SoupSandwich
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:52pmWhat a hag. People have known about some parties having issues locally with permits OWSers didn’t need, and a few pissant congress members sicked the leeches on them. PMSNBC will surely lead with this and Barrys passport tonight right MBE?
Report Post »Owt_Raged
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:06pmHere’s the link to the application. When you are done reading it, please note which items the applicant failed to fill out properly which led to the questions and information requests made of them by the IRS?
http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0%2C%2Cid=96109%2C00.html
Report Post »NOKOOLAIDDRINKER
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:07pmMaryeliizabeth….stop talking!!! We all know what you are!!! A 19 year old male posing as a female so we, who are legitimate commenters, might be more sympathetic toward you. GET OUT YOU POSER YOU!! GOODBYE
Report Post »Owt_Raged
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:08pmPlease read and point out which part of the application these people failed to fill out properly, which would lead the IRS to ask the questions they are asking?
http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0%2C%2Cid=96109%2C00.html
Report Post »marybethelizabeth
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 7:19pmthey are questioning the 501 C4 apps. Tea Party organizations applying for 501 C3 would be automatically rejected.
Again theblaze can’t get the story right and is misleading you Keys.
hehehehehe
Report Post »welovetheUSA
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:43pmThis is who Obama and his zars are……………marxist.
Report Post »TeaPartyForRomney
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:41pmThank goodness for Jay Sekulow and his honesty. he is supporting the Tea Party and their efforts.
Did you know at the same time, Jay is a big and enthusiastic Romney supporter. He has come out defending Romney. He also has some tough words for Santorum for Rick’s support of Progressive Justice Sotomayor and also Specter and all the liberal judges he supported.
Report Post »cuinsong
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:41pmThis is a clear case of IRS intimidation. Will the congress get involved? NOT!
Report Post »What’s wrong with this song? http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_9134749
momprayn
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:34pmYes, Jay and the ACLJ have been very successfully representing these kind of things – and the stuff re separation of church/state cases at schools, public places,etc. They’re Christians and I highly rcommend any support you can give them.
Report Post »These are the same tactics used on other conservative groups as well — they request ridiculous forms/questions, etc. hoping you will give up and go away. NO WAY !!!!!
AvengerK
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:41pmSekulow is a very astute individual and wouldn’t go into this lightly.
Report Post »christos
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:34pm.Two worthy groups to support American Center For Law And Justice i.e.ACLJ and The Tea Party i.e. people who care about the U.S.,,,I support both,,,
Report Post »AProudConservative
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:30pmIs anyone surprised that the communist in the White House is trying to crush his critics? Can you spell Putin? Chavez? Castro? Obama?
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:28pm.
Report Post »Could this be the first time I might agree with the ACLU. Am I awake?……….
marvel
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:35pm@SpankDaMonkey
Easy to miss, but this is a different organization it’s the ACLJ, not ACLU. :-)
Report Post »rdk
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:38pmThe organization is the ACLJ.
Report Post »undercover
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:38pmNope your sleeping – ACLJ not ACLU
Report Post »I Aint PC
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:26pmThank you Jay and the rest of your ACLJ staff.
Report Post »TOMSERVO
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:24pmYou guys know that this costs the government money right? Thanks for wasting everyone’s valuable time and money with this BS claim that will undoubtedly be laughed off.
Report Post »Bluefish49
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:28pmWhat the progressive Obama machine fails to realize is the Tea Party is not a club or group but is a movement that needs no leaders bacause we have one cause which is to take America back.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:30pmMedia Matters is tax exempt … as are the “new” SEIU and ACORN entities … fair is fair … the government is bringing this on themselves … you can’t be serious .. you don’t care about “fairness” .. isn’t that what your Obama preaches? Or is it only for some people. (left).
Report Post »copatriots
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:41pmIt’s no different of a waste of taxpayers money than everything else the O admin does. I guess when you dance to their music you don’t have to worry about being audited, do you, TOM?
Report Post »TOMSERVO
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:55pmCongrats everyone, on failing to note the sarcasm I used to point out your hypocrisy.
There’s really no point in trying to be clever on the Blaze. Everyone just misses your meaning.
Report Post »copatriots
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:11pmIt‘s possible you aren’t all that clever.
Report Post »notetaking
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 7:28pm@COPATRIOTS…
Beat me to it! lol…
Report Post »Espada
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 7:43pmIncoherent post, Tom.
Report Post »ColoradoMaverick
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:22pmI heard about this organized attack from the IRS against Tea Party groups. Are they doing this with liberal groups? heck no!!
Report Post »Call the IRS today. Call your Senator. Call the White House and demand they stand down!!
Chromo200
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:27pmwhat will senators do .. Nothing, just take our money and fly around and say how indignant they are. The only thing is to vote and replace the present person in the White House.
Report Post »MCDAVE
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 11:20pmReplace the Congress too
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:18pmA great man…Love Jay. Will be praying for him…
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:25pmflat tax will cure any of this
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:26pm.
Report Post »He may need more than a prayer Baddoggy…….lol……….