U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder says the FBI's criminal investigation of the Internal Revenue Service could include potential civil rights violations, false statements and potential violations of the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in some partisan political activities.
President Obama is meeting with Treasury officials today to discuss the IRS targeting of conservative groups for special review.
Sen. John Cornyn of Texas calls it a case of government out of control.
“Whether you are a Republican, conservative, or a liberal or a Democrat or independent, that this is just inappropriate use of government power.”
Cornyn is among those calling for an investigation into who’s responsible for IRS agents singling out conservative groups for extra scrutiny when they applied for tax-exempt status.
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott is calling for a special prosecutor to investigate the claims. Abbott says any Texas organizations that believe they were improperly targeted should contact his office.