Breaking: Reports that Lois Lerner Placed on Administrative Leave

The National Review Online is reporting that IRS Official Lois Lerner has been placed on administrative leave..more tonight on Special Report as we follow this breaking news.

IRS Source: Lerner Placed On Administrative Leave

By  Eliana Johnson
May 23, 2013 4:47 PM

Lois Lerner, the Internal Revenue Service’s director of exempt organizations, has been placed on administrative leave, according to a source in the agency’s Cincinnati office.

Lerner on Thursday afternoon sent an e-mail to employees in the exempt organizations division she oversees stating, “Due to the events of recent days, I am on administrative leave starting today. An announcement will be made shortly informing you who will be acting while I am on administrative leave. I know all of you will continue to support EO’s mission during these difficult times.” She concluded, “I thank you for all your hard work and dedication,” adding, “The work you do is important.”

At a House Oversight Committee hearing yesterday, Lerner invoked her Fifth Amendment right and refused to answer questions posed to her by lawmakers, stating only, “I did nothing wrong.” She has been at the center of the scandal roiling the IRS and the Obama administration since she clumsily planted the question that allowed her to reveal — and apologize for — the agency’s improper targeting of tea party and other conservative groups. 

Political Comeback? You tell us...

You may remember him as Congressman Anthony Weiner-- the politician who made headlines nearly two years ago after he resigned from Congress following a sexting scandal-- but now he would like to be remembered as Mayor Anthony Weiner. 

Weiner announced his candidacy for New  York City mayor earlier this week in a rather unconventional way--via a YouTube video in which Weiner admits to making "some big mistakes" while asking for a second chance. The video features his wife, Huma Abedin, who tells the voters of New York City that "no one will work harder to make it better than Anthony." 

What do you think...a political comeback in the works? Do you think he is jumping in because he thinks he has an actual chance of winning or because he would like to repair is broken image? A good choice for NYC or not? Share your thoughts with us here on The Daily Bret or via Twitter @BretBaier or @SpecialReport!

Check out the video here-

Please tune in or set the DVR!

Jaiwen's Story

In the middle of all of this serious news.. and reporting on scandals -- here's a look at a great story of a young man.. who credits Children's National Medical Center with saving his life. Jaiwen helped me tremendously with the auction at the Children's Ball last Saturday evening! We raised 2 million dollars that night! If you have a minute - please watch his video... it's powerful.

8 ICE detainees with felony convictions unaccounted for

A February 2013 release of ICE detainees with criminal records notes that DHS disclosed that as part of  a larger release, it freed 622 detainees with criminal records (including 32 with multiple felony convictions).  Upon realizing the offenses DHS apprehended 24 of the 32 detainees with felony convictions.  However, eight remain unaccounted for.

More tonight on Special Report with Doug McKelway and our panel @6pmET!

SENATORS McCAIN AND LEVIN: NEW INFORMATION REGARDING ICE DETAINEE RELEASE

Washington, D.C. ­– U.S. Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Ranking Member and Chairman of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, today released the following new information about the February 2013 release of ICE detainees with criminal records:

In February 2013, in a misguided effort to comply with anticipated budget cuts due in part to sequestration, without explanation or warning, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials released from custody 2,226 detainees into communities across the country. In response to requests for information by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), after a three month delay and under threat of a possible subpoena, finally disclosed details about those releases. DHS disclosed that, as part of the larger release, it freed 622 detainees with criminal records, including 32 with multiple felony convictions.

Among the 32 detainees, for example, ICE’s Phoenix District Office released a detainee who had a felony second degree robbery prior conviction and countless convictions for prostitution and solicitation for lewd conduct. The Phoenix office releases also included an individual who had been convicted of an extreme case of driving under the influence (DUI) and harassment, as well as having caused criminal damage to property, as well as a detainee who had prior convictions for carrying a loaded firearm, DUI with a controlled substance, felony possession of drugs, second degree burglary, vandalism, and trespassing. The San Francisco Field Office released someone with a prior felony conviction to manufacture fake identifications as well as a man with two DUIs and two stalking convictions, the last one as recent as 2012. The Houston office deemed a person convicted of felony possession of marijuana of up to 2,000 pounds acceptable for release.

When DHS realized the seriousness of the offenses, it re-apprehended 24 of the 32 detainees with felony convictions who had been freed. DHS considered returning the remaining eight to physical custody, but took other actions instead, including using ankle bracelets to track their movements. DHS told the Subcommittee that local ICE officials at regional field offices had the discretion to choose which detainees to release. The Senators recommend that disciplinary action be considered for the ICE officials responsible for releasing detainees with multiple felony convictions into communities. 

“ICE’s reprehensible actions put Arizona at risk by setting free into our communities hundreds of detainees who were guilty of criminal offenses, said Senator John McCain. “The ICE officials responsible for this must face disciplinary action and must take all actions necessary to ensure that this never happens again.”