Lawyers representing IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley have issued a response to a letter by Hunter Biden’s attorney Abbe Lowell, which attacked both Shapley and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) over revelations in the investigation into Hunter and Joe Biden. In their statement, Shapley’s attorneys Mark Lytle, Jason Foster, and Tristan Leavitt expressed that they were not surprised by the attempts to intimidate their client and the oversight authorities involved in the case.
According to the statement, Shapley had followed the rules and reported the unequal application of tax laws to Congress through lawful whistleblowing channels. The attorneys also highlighted that Shapley had referred a leak in October 2022 for investigation to the inspectors general of his own agency and the Department of Justice (DOJ). They emphasized that Shapley was falsely accused of being a leaker and that these baseless attacks were additional attempts to discredit him.
The attorneys rejected the accusations made by Biden’s lawyers, stating that lawful whistleblowing should not be confused with illegal leaking. They referred to threatening emails sent by IRS leadership after the case agent blew the whistle to the IRS Commissioner regarding favoritism in the case. The attorneys also mentioned reports of Biden attorneys lobbying the DOJ directly to target Shapley with a criminal inquiry in retaliation for blowing the whistle. They alleged that these actions constituted potential obstruction of lawful inquiries and retaliation against their client.
The New York Post reported that Lowell’s letter contained several mistakes. For instance, Lowell denied that Hunter’s laptop had been abandoned or its data authenticated, despite Shapley testifying that the FBI had verified its contents in November 2019. Lowell also falsely claimed that Hunter never responded to an email from associate Tony Bobulinski, which dealt with compensation from a 2017 joint venture with a Chinese energy company. However, email evidence from the laptop revealed Hunter’s response to the email, including a discussion about additional financial demands.
The Post also quoted Chairman Smith’s response to Lowell’s letter. Smith stated that it was not surprising for Biden’s attorneys to attempt to discredit the whistleblowers and halt the investigation. He mentioned that the whistleblowers had already faced retaliation from the IRS and the DOJ, despite statutory protections. Smith criticized Lowell’s letter for misleading the public about the lawful actions taken by the Ways and Means Committee in sharing information with Congress. He further highlighted concerns about counsel for Hunter Biden being tipped off about potential warrants and raids, suggesting preferential treatment.
The House Judiciary Committee also responded to Lowell’s letter, suggesting that the White House was in a state of panic. They expressed their determination to continue the investigation despite the objections raised by Biden’s lawyers.
In conclusion, the statement from Shapley’s legal team highlights their client’s adherence to the rules and lawful whistleblowing procedures. They reject the accusations made by Biden’s lawyers and assert that their client and the investigations have faced retaliation and intimidation. The response from Chairman Smith echoes these concerns and emphasizes that the investigation will not be abandoned due to objections from Biden’s attorneys. The House Judiciary Committee’s response suggests a sense of urgency and determination to uncover the truth behind the allegations.
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