August 30, 2005

(COLUMBIA, S.C.)   Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following statement regarding the IRS’s admitted targeting of groups seeking tax-exempt status: “It is deeply troubling that the Internal Revenue Service targeted organizations and individuals based on their political beliefs. Our freedom of speech and our equal protection under the law are the most basic tenets of our Republic. Both were ignored when the IRS unnecessarily harassed and audited individuals and organizations based on their name, not their paperwork. “This matter merits the highest level of scrutiny to investigate the serious misconduct and admitted targeting of groups seeking tax-exempt status by the…

“An important civics lesson can be learned from this bill and how Ashley Hall parents such as Anna Murray and many others who set an example for citizens can effectively come together to make our state a safer place to live, work, and raise a family.