Why Can't Treasury IG Get Answers?

"The watchdog who exposed the IRS' targeting of conservative groups testified Monday that nobody in the Ohio office being blamed for the scandal would tell his investigators who directed the program, as the new IRS chief vowed to "get to the bottom" of that growing question."

The below report, if true, is highly troubling. It appears that IRS officials in Cincinnati refused to tell investigators who gave the orders to target conservative groups.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/06/03/white-house-battles-new-claims-on-irs-scandal-as-agency-chief-heads-to-hill/

Here is how it is supposed to work because I have a little first-hand knowledge as a former DEA agent as to how inspectors proceed.

When wrongdoing is alleged, any agent deemed to have knowledge is interviewed. It is simple; "Who ordered you to do such and such an action?"

"My supervisor."

You go to the supervisor. "Who ordered you to do this?"

"The head of the office."

You go to the head of the office. "Who ordered you to do this? Is it in writing?"

"Yes. Here is the document." Or, "No, I was told over the phone by so and so in Washington."

And so it is supposed to go.  This is a case where the agents at the field level were obviously ordered to take this action. As an investigator, you go up the chain of command. Clearly, you don't want to stop at the field agent level (or do you?). If criminal wrongdoing is involved, certainly, the employee can exercise his or her right to remain silent if appropriate.  Otherwise, they cannot refuse to cooperate with the investigation lest they be subject to disciplinary action.  Indeed, an agency can take  administrative action against a employee who refuses to tell what he or she knows.

Sometimes, however, the investigators don't really want to know. I was once interviewed by DEA inspectors (as was everyone in our office) about a reported incident involving a high-level supervisor. I had no personal knowledge of the incident other than having heard the office rumors. When the inspector from Washington interviewed me, it was pretty clear, he didn't have any intention of getting to the bottom of it. He began by referring to certain stories going around about the official. I told him that all I could tell him was what the rumors were, but that I didn't have any first-hand knowledge. That was all he needed to hear. Interview was over.

The investigation (which was not a criminal matter) never went anywhere.

The IRS field level officials in Cincinnati should not be the target unless they were, in fact, rogue officers, which is highly-highly unlikely. If they fear prosecution, the DOJ can take of that by giving them an official declination of prosecution. Now they have to talk.

Given the above, I have to question how seriously the investigators wanted to go up the ladder.