The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have announced the reinstatement of two IRS whistleblowers, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, who were previously penalized for their involvement in investigating Hunter Biden’s tax evasion case. The two will now serve as Senior Advisors within the Treasury Department.
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent stated, “I am pleased to welcome Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler to the Treasury Department, where they will help us drive much-needed cultural reform within the IRS.” He emphasized that their roles would support improvements in collections, modernization, and customer service at the IRS.
Bessent also acknowledged Senator Grassley’s efforts in Congress to bolster protections for whistleblowers, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability while addressing issues of retaliation within governmental agencies.
Shapley and Ziegler had initially come forward with information regarding Hunter Biden’s tax evasion in 2022. Following their disclosures, they reportedly faced political persecution from within the IRS, including attempts to damage their reputations and careers.
