Plouffe lies about Issa, gets smacked

One of President Obama's top advisers has entered into a virtual war of words with Republican Congressman, Darrell Issa, who is leading the investigation into the administration's involvement in the IRS abuse scandal.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - David Plouffe, one of President Obama's top advisers issued a tweet on Sunday that most will find particularly harsh and offensive. Referring to Darrell Issa, the chairman of the committee investigating the administration's alleged role in IRS abuses, he tweeted, "Strong words from Mr Grand Theft Auto and suspected arsonist/insurance swindler. And loose ethically today."

Plouffe was making an underhanded reference to Issa's past.

ISA fired back at Plouffe, calling him a "liar."

In 1972, when Issa was 19, he was arrested under suspicion of grand theft auto. However, his brother turned out to be the culprit in the ISA was arrested on a case of mistaken identity. Issa was released without charges because he did nothing wrong.

10 years later, in 1982, ISA purchased Quantum Enterprises and Steel Stopper International. Upon purchase, he increased the insurance on the building from $100,000 to $462,000. A month later, the structure burned down. Arson investigators noted a "suspicious burn pattern" but could find no proof that arson had actually occurred. Nor was there any evidence that Issa was somehow involved. No charges were filed in the case, no one was ever arrested.

Issa later settled out of court with the insurance company.

Issa has never been found guilty of wrongdoing at any point during his career. Despite this, Plouffe issued his abnormally harsh tweet, and was rightfully called out by Issa as a liar.

Recently, Issa's investigation into the IRS abuse scandal has struck a nerve in Washington. Evidence is overwhelming, and indeed the IRS has confessed, that they purposely targeted conservative groups and individuals for harassment dating as far back as 2010, and continuing until as recently as May 2013.

This harassment is both unethical and illegal. It is expected that several top officials in the IRS will be disciplined for their role in this abuse.

However, the question remains, who was responsible?

Issa suggested over the weekend that based on sworn testimony and documents that he has reviewed, the wrongdoing may go all the way back to Washington DC.

Although it is only alleged, the wrongdoing could go to the White House itself, and land on President Obama's desk, where the buck is supposed to stop anyway.

If so, it could open the possibility of impeachment proceedings against Obama.

With investigators closing in on Washington, Obama's staff is in full damage control mode, and in Plouffe's case, is taking shots at investigators.

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The investigation will probably last for months, and both sides are prepared for a long, protracted battle.

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