A top official from the U.S. tax agency has apologized to conservative groups that were singled out for additional scrutiny by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) during the 2012 political campaign.
Lois Lerner, who heads the IRS division that oversees tax-exempt groups, said Friday about 75 organizations that included the words "tea party" or "patriot" in applications for tax-exempt status were put through unnecessary, additional reviews.
In some cases, groups were asked for lists of donors, which violates IRS policy in most cases.
Lerner acknowledged it was wrong for the agency to target groups based on political affiliation.
The apology immediately spurred calls for an investigation from members of Congress.
Lois Lerner, who heads the IRS division that oversees tax-exempt groups, said Friday about 75 organizations that included the words "tea party" or "patriot" in applications for tax-exempt status were put through unnecessary, additional reviews.
In some cases, groups were asked for lists of donors, which violates IRS policy in most cases.
Lerner acknowledged it was wrong for the agency to target groups based on political affiliation.
The apology immediately spurred calls for an investigation from members of Congress.