DOJ rejects Cruz’s IRS probe request
Cruz, an ardent conservative and possible 2016 presidential candidate who has been making the rounds in early primary states, sent a letter earlier this year to Attorney General Eric Holder asking him to “act to preserve the integrity of the Justice Department and immediately appoint a special prosecutor, with meaningful independence,” to handle the IRS investigation.
In a March 10 letter, the Justice Department responded that “a special counsel may be appointed when an investigation or prosecution by the Department of Justice would present a conflict of interest, or in other extraordinary circumstances, such that the public interest would be served by such appointment.” Noting that such “authority has rarely been exercised,” the letter — signed by Peter J. Kadzik, senior deputy assistant attorney general — continued: “After considering your request, in light of the regulatory standard set forth above, we concluded that such an appointment is not warranted.”
Justice added that the investigation is being handled by “career prosecutors and law enforcement professionals.” Cruz, who like many conservatives has hammered President Barack Obama’s administration over the IRS scandal for months, dismissed the denial of the special counsel request as “the height of hypocrisy.” interest, or in other extraordinary circumstances, such that the public interest would be served by such appointment.” Noting that such “authority has rarely been exercised,” the letter — signed by Peter J. Kadzik, senior deputy assistant attorney general — continued: “After considering your request, in light of the regulatory standard set forth above, we concluded that such an appointment is not warranted.”
He has joined several of his colleagues in painting the lead investigator, who previously contributed to the president, as a “partisan Democrat.” Cruz’s team also argues that beyond perceptions of conflicts of interest, the case should rise to the level of “extraordinary circumstances.”
“Both Nixon administration Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Clinton administration attorney general Janet Reno appointed special prosecutors whose integrity was unimpeachable; Eric Holder should do the same,” Cruz said.
