Lois Lerner Faces Prosecution in Tea Party Scandal

Former IRS division director Lois Lerner, who admitted to "extra scrutiny" of the Tea Party and other conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status, could face criminal charges.

The House Ways and Means Committee will vote Wednesday on the content of a letter to be presented to Attorney General Eric Holder citing three criminal offenses against the former head of the IRS tax-exempt division.

In a separate matter, House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa plans to hold a contempt vote against Lerner on Thursday.

The former division head apologized on behalf of the IRS when the issue first surfaced, but she refused to answer questions at congressional hearings, pleading the Fifth Amendment and later resigning from the agency.

Last month, House Republicans released a 144-page report detailing her involvement in the IRS targeting of conservative groups.