Billy Long Accused of Taking $65,000 Bribe During IRS Confirmation Hearing
.jpeg)
CALITODAY – Washington DC (May 20, 2025) – Former Republican Congressman Billy Long (Missouri), nominated by President Trump to lead the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), has been accused of accepting a $65,000 bribe tied to questionable tax credit dealings.
During his Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing, Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) revealed two audio recordings suggesting that tax credit brokers who worked with Long expected "special favors" if he was confirmed. One recording featured the CFO of White River Energy—a company that paid Long $65,000—stating they anticipated favorable treatment for a “fake” tribal tax credit they were pursuing.
“I’ve never spoken to anyone at White River. I worked through Capitol Edge Strategies,” Long responded when questioned. He also claimed he did not even know which Native American tribe the disputed credit was supposedly linked to.
Long, who previously worked as an auctioneer and a tax credit lobbyist, argued that his role was simply to connect “friends with shared interests.” However, Democrats called it a blatant conflict of interest—especially since the tax credits in question are believed to be fraudulent.
A Senate Finance Committee report alleges that White River sold fake tax credits to investors and reassured them they had "friends inside the IRS" who could smooth things over. After the scheme was exposed, the company began lobbying for Long’s confirmation. More than $165,000 reportedly went into the lobbying campaign—most of it from tribal tax credit players, including those at White River.
Republicans defended Long, calling him a “needed reformer” for an IRS in the midst of staff reductions. “He brings a valuable business perspective,” said Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee). “Before public service, he was a small business owner and auctioneer—careers that give him a real-world grasp of what small business owners face.”
The Trump administration has been aggressively restructuring the IRS, firing many of the employees hired during the Biden-era $80 billion modernization initiative. The agency may lose up to 40% of its workforce in the coming years due to firings, hiring freezes, and retirements.
The IRS has gone through multiple acting commissioners since Trump took office, following the resignation of Commissioner Danny Werfel. Leadership struggles have intensified under Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and presidential adviser Elon Musk, especially regarding access to taxpayer data by a controversial cost-cutting board.
Neither the White House nor White River Energy has responded to requests for comment.
– Reported by Hanh Duong in Washington DC
.jpeg)
Comments[ 0 ]
Post a Comment