IRS Whistleblower on trial

In a precedent-setting case, the IRS wielded new power to punish the political speech of those who espouse views" the government considers "inconsistent" with government-held beliefs. In a hearing originally closed to the public in a secret tribunal on a military island, but moved to a public location after protests from the press and the public, the IRS wants to wield this power against a former IRS whistleblower, who was forced to resign upon his discovery of fraud in the agency. After monitoring and taping the whisteblower's appearances on Sixty Minutes, talk radio shows, and political publications where he rebroadcast his findings of IRS fraud, the IRS initiated this inquisition against their former whistleblower [Joe Bannister].  article

From Joe's blog:

...Judge Moran has expressed unhappiness with the number of citizens who are apparently calling his office. He has also warned me (by relaying a message through my attorneys) that I should be careful about what I say on my website and my email messages. He did not specify what specific speech I should be careful about. If and when he does specify what speech I should be careful about, I will let everyone know, assuming, of course, that letting everyone know what speech I am supposed to be careful about is not the kind of speech the Judge says I need to be careful about. Stay tuned.

...As I stated above, this hearing is only the beginning of a once in a lifetime opportunity to expose the ugly truth about the way government officials from a variety of agencies work in concert to protect the status quo. Your donations are enabling me to continue this fight and allowing me to survive the crushing legal and procedural assaults that unlimited government resources and personnel can inflict. My sincere thanks to the entire Bernhoft Firm staff who have worked tirelessly on my behalf, as evidenced by the documents posted to the IRS LOCKOUT UPDATE section of my website. They have assured me that this issue is far from over and extraordinary developments are on the horizon. I urge you to stay tuned to this battle and to continue to support it with prayers and financial support because I am confident it will help to expose the contempt our government officials have for our rights, our liberty, and the rule of law. Updates will continue to appear at www.freedomabovefortune.com.

As always, I respectfully request that you forward this message to all of your lists.

Kind Regards,

Joseph R. (Joe) Banister, C.P.A.
Former IRS Criminal Investigation Division Special Agent

And from his website (Freedom Above Fortune):

Freedom Above Fortune was founded by Joseph R. (Joe) Banister, a former IRS Criminal Investigation Division Special Agent who learned of serious constitutional questions relating to the federal income tax and the federal banking and monetary systems. Mr. Banister’s expertise in the fields of accounting, finance, taxation, and law enforcement enabled him to not only understand these issues but realize that he could play a role in bringing the issues into the public arena for analysis and debate.

...On the day Joe resigned from the IRS, he committed himself to raising awareness about the dirty little secrets the IRS keeps from the American people, even if it caused him personal and professional hardship. Joe has endured the personal hardships of quitting a high-paying job and devoting his time to the efforts of the tax honesty movement. Now the IRS is determined to cause him some professional hardships as well. However, the ultimate hardship will be borne by all of us because Joe's representation of clients in IRS matters has helped to further expose how the IRS gets away with their illicit practices. Joe has met face to face with IRS agents all over the country in his capacity as a client representative. Let's be clear - Joe is the first IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent ever to blow the whistle against the IRS in this manner. The IRS has always been able to foster the myth that only anti-government whackos believe the IRS is acting illicitly. Having a former IRS special agent confront current IRS agents with evidence of illicit activity causes current IRS agents to take a second look at agency policies and procedures - something the IRS can not afford to let happen.