Two IRS whistleblowers who faced backlash for exposing political interference in the Hunter Biden tax investigation are now taking on key roles at the Treasury Department. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Tuesday that Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler have been appointed as senior advisors, tasked with investigating corruption within the IRS.
Both men played crucial roles in revealing how the Biden administration slow-walked the case against Hunter Biden. They testified before Congress, detailing how Justice Department officials blocked standard investigative procedures, allowing the statute of limitations to expire on several charges. Their testimony ultimately helped derail a plea deal that would have given Biden’s son a favorable outcome despite serious tax violations.
Sec. Scott Bessent Says He Promoted IRS Whistleblowers to Leadership Roles at the Treasury Department
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Bessent, appearing on Fox Business, explained his decision to bring the whistleblowers into Treasury after meeting them at President Donald Trump’s speech to Congress. “I went and decided I would bring them into Treasury, give them a year to investigate the wrongdoing that’s going on at the IRS,” he said. Shapley will serve as senior deputy for investigations and enforcement.
Their move follows a report from the Office of Special Counsel, which found that the IRS had illegally retaliated against both whistleblowers. Investigators determined that agency officials removed Shapley and Ziegler from the Hunter Biden case, issued improper gag orders and limited their duties in an effort to silence them.
Shapley and Ziegler released a statement expressing their commitment to fixing the agency. “We have been motivated by one singular mantra: do what’s right,” they said, adding that they are eager to help eliminate waste and fraud.
Watchdog groups praised Bessent’s decision, calling it an important step toward accountability. Empower Oversight, which represents the whistleblowers, said their deep knowledge of the IRS will be critical in exposing political corruption and restoring public trust.
The IRS has faced sharp criticism from House Republicans, who argue that its handling of the Biden case shows a pattern of protecting politically connected individuals. With Shapley and Ziegler now leading an internal investigation, the agency’s handling of major cases is likely to come under increased scrutiny.
