The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has notified House Speaker John Boehner that it won’t bring contempt of Congress charges against Lois Lerner, former Internal Revenue Service official who asserted her right to decline to answer questions during a congressional hearing.
The letter from the U.S. Attorney’s Office only applies to the contempt issue. The ongoing Justice Deptartment probe continues to look into possible wrongdoing in the IRS targeting of conservative and other groups. Law enforcement sources have said that probe hasn’t yielded evidence to warrant charges, but the case remains open.
Former U.S. Attorney Ron Machen left office on Tuesday and he sent the letter before leaving.
An attorney for Lerner said his client was pleased the matter is resolved.
“We are gratified but not surprised by today’s news,” said William W. Taylor III in a statement. “Anyone who takes a serious and impartial look at this issue would conclude that Ms. Lerner did not waive her Fifth Amendment rights.”