Promotions Highlight Whistleblower Integrity
IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler have taken on new advisory roles within the Treasury Department, marking a significant turn in their career paths.
According to Just the News, They had previously faced retaliation after exposing handling discrepancies in the high-profile investigation of Hunter Biden, which has now led to their appointments under the Trump administration's Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
These promotions were first reported by the New York Post on a recent Tuesday, signaling a possible victory for the protection of whistleblowers. Shapley and Ziegler's journey began when they revealed alleged misconduct by the Department of Justice and the IRS during the investigation into Hunter Biden's tax-related offenses and other legal issues.
Their revelations became public after a plea agreement for Hunter Biden collapsed in 2023 under court examination.
Grassley Advocates for Whistleblowers' Rights
In May 2023, Shapley and Ziegler were removed from the investigation, an act they and several advocates saw as retaliation. Empower Oversight, a nonprofit watchdog organization, came to their defense, alleging that the IRS had not only issued gag orders against the whistleblowers but also removed them from the investigation as a retaliatory act.
The situation caught the attention of Senator Chuck Grassley, who publicly expressed his support for Shapley and Ziegler. In his view, their actions exemplified integrity, leading him to call out the Biden administration's treatment of them as unwarranted and akin to being treated “like skunks at a picnic.”
Grassley made efforts to secure their protection from further reprisals by demanding an end to such actions in a 2024 letter addressed to President Trump and then-IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel.
Hunter Biden's Plea Agreement Controversy
Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, became embroiled in a legal storm involving tax crimes and illegal gun possession in 2023, resulting in a plea deal that was eventually scrutinized and fell apart in court.
The whistleblowers presented testimony and evidence that challenged the government's assertions, shedding light on obstacles throughout the investigation into Hunter Biden's affairs, including dealings with CEFC China Energy.
Despite eventually being found guilty in 2024, Hunter Biden received a presidential pardon from President Joe Biden that December. However, litigation involving related civil matters persists.
Empower Oversight Decries IRS Handling
Amid ongoing legal battles, Hunter Biden filed a lawsuit through his lawyer Abbe Lowell, accusing the IRS of unlawfully disclosing confidential tax information. Empower Oversight criticized the IRS for its handling of the situation, believing the matter could have been addressed with greater fairness to their clients.
Furthermore, Shapley and Ziegler launched their own defamation lawsuit against Hunter Biden’s lawyer, citing false statements. Hunter Biden's financial constraints have since led him to drop one of his lawsuits, although the case against the whistleblowers continues.
Whistleblowers' Testimony Sheds Light on Allegations
Shapley and Ziegler have remained steadfast in their stance that the Justice Department nearly permitted the President’s son to evade responsibility for several felonies. They produced detailed evidence and offered under-oath testimonies about the protective measures allegedly employed to shield the Biden family from a thorough probe into claimed corrupt practices in Ukraine, Romania, and China.
They urged leadership from the DOJ, FBI, and IRS to act correctly from the outset, stressing that their careers were put at risk because of what they described as preferential treatment toward Hunter Biden.
Ongoing Efforts for Cultural Reform
Treasury Secretary Bessent expressed his enthusiasm for welcoming Shapley and Ziegler aboard, highlighting their potential contributions to enhancing cultural reform within the IRS.
Jason Foster of Empower Oversight remarked positively on the promotion, indicating it as exemplary of rewarding merit rather than penalizing whistleblowers, and expressing satisfaction at seeing Shapley and Ziegler assume their new roles.
In their statement, Shapley and Ziegler conveyed their gratitude for the trust placed in them by Bessent, Grassley, and other congressional members. Motivated by the mantra of doing what's right, they appreciate the opportunity to leverage their experiences to better serve the American public.
Conclusion: A New Era for Whistleblowers?
Senator Grassley described Shapley and Ziegler as individuals who risked their entire careers to uphold truth. He shared his hope that this occasion represents just one of many instances where justice is restored for mistreated whistleblowers.
Through transparency and accountability, he credits the Trump administration with striving to foster a climate where whistleblower protection assumes center stage.
As Shapley and Ziegler embark on their new roles at the Treasury Department, their actions serve as a reminder of the enduring challenges whistleblowers may face but also underscore the potential for change and reform.