IRS official won’t testify in contracting probe

WASHINGTON — An Internal Revenue Service official is refusing to testify before a House committee examining his relationship with the CEO of computer services company that has as much as $500 million in contracts with the IRS.

Gregory Roseman said at a committee hearing Wednesday that he was advised by his lawyer to invoke his constitutional right against self-incrimination.

The committee is investigating government contracts secured by Strong Castle Inc., including whether a friendship between Roseman and company CEO Braulio Castillo was a factor in the company’s ability to secure such large contracts with the IRS.

Castillo told the committee he doesn’t know why Roseman invoked his 5th Amendment right. Castillo says his company has done nothing wrong or illegal.