Lois Lerner, the head of the Internal Revenue Service’s tax-exempt organizations office, faced with allegations of improper targeting of conservative groups, declared Wednesday that she has done nothing wrong and declined to answer questions, invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
Later on in the hearing Rep. John Mica (R., Fla.), questioned former IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman about the salary and bonuses Lerner earned from 2009 to 2012 and Shulman's political leanings.
JOHN MICA: Well, did you know, for example, Ms. Lerner who is head of it got a total of $740,000 between 2009 and 2012, over $42,000 in bonuses? Would you check off on bonus? And she was the one that was going to sit there and testify but didn't. Do you check off --
DOUGLAS SHULMAN: That number does not sound familiar. I didn't individually make decisions. But I probably signed off on overall agency compensation.
MICA: Have you participated in the political process, could you tell the committee of your political participations, donations?
SHULMAN: My whole life?
MICA: Well, yes. Are you -- I don't know your background. I heard you were appointee of one administration. But what is your history of participation?
SHULMAN: My full life history of participation in politics, I don't want --
MICA: For example, contribute to parties and groups?
SHULMAN: Yeah, I mean, sorry, to the best of my recollection, I have. I haven't in a long time. Didn’t make any contributions while I was IRS commissioner.