Facing impeachment threat, IRS chief visiting House panel

WASHINGTON (AP) - The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee says IRS chief John Koskinen is facing "very serious allegations of misconduct" as the panel holds an election-year hearing on an effort by conservatives to impeach him.

In a prepared statement, Virginia Republican Rep. Bob Goodlatte says the IRS engaged in a "political plan to silence" conservatives when it targeted tea party groups seeking tax-exempt status years ago.

Michigan Rep. John Conyers - the panel's top Democrat - accuses Republicans of "partisan attacks cloaked in the impeachment process."

Conservatives say Koskinen obstructed congressional investigations into how the IRS mistreated tea party groups.

The agency has apologized for its actions. Government investigators have found no evidence that Koskinen or the IRS purposely destroyed evidence or that the agency's actions were politically motivated.