SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — A high-ranking Internal Revenue Service official at the center of a scandal into revelations that the agency improperly scrutinized conservative groups has bowed out of her commitment to deliver the keynote address at a Massachusetts law school's commencement.
Western New England University School of Law officials said Thursday that Lois Lerner has decided not to participate in Saturday's scheduled ceremonies.
The Springfield school will not schedule an alternate speaker.
University Vice President Barbara Moffat said that Lerner told the school she wanted commencement to focus on the achievements of the graduates.
Lerner is head of the IRS division that oversees tax exempt organizations.
The law school is granting 183 degrees on Saturday.
Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew on Wednesday asked for and accepted acting IRS commissioner Steven T. Miller's resignation.