IRS director pleads the 5th

After denying any transgressions in a statement, IRS director of exempt organizations, Lois Lerner has pleaded the fifth, invoking her right to prevent her self-incrimination. She explained to the House Oversight Committee that she refused to “answer any questions or testify about the subject matter of this committee’s meeting.” Some Republicans believed that the statement Lerner gave was the same as giving testimony. If this was the case, then it would be just as self-incriminating as answering questions about the controversy.

The panel Chairman, Representative Darrell Issa, allowed Lerner to leave the stand but explained that he would have her return. He could force her to answer the questions with a waiver.