Filed Date: Sept. 18, 2025
Case Ongoing
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The plaintiff, Holly Paz, is the former Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner of Large Business and International Division. At the beginning of September, 2025, the IRS issued a Notice of Proposed Adverse Action (“Proposal”) to Ms. Paz that proposes to remove her from federal service “in order to promote the efficiency of the Service." The plaintiff alleged that the IRS relied on allegations dating back two decades that had been previously investigated in the plaintiffs favor. The IRS granted the plaintiff until on or before October 17, 2025, to submit her written response to the Proposal.
On September 9, 2025, Fox News published an article with the headline: “IRS fires top aide linked to Obama-era Tea Party targeting scandal.” Allegedly, other news sources went on to echo the Fox story. The plaintiff alleged that the IRS unlawfully disclosed her termination and proposed firing to Fox News. She further alleged that this is not the first time that the IRS has disclosed information about her from her Privacy Act Systems of Records to unauthorized individuals.
Following these events, the plaintiff brought this suit against the IRS and the Department of Treasury in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The complaint alleged violations of the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. § 552a(b), (g)), requested the court declare the government's actions unlawful, and that the plaintiff be awarded monetary damages. This case has been assigned to Judge Amir H. Ali.
Summary Authors
Claire Pollard (9/19/2025)
Jinan Abufarha (10/17/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71378201/parties/paz-v-internal-revenue-service/
Moss, Bradley Prescott (District of Columbia)
Zaid, Mark Steven (District of Columbia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71378201/paz-v-internal-revenue-service/
Last updated Oct. 28, 2025, 11:09 p.m.
State / Territory: District of Columbia
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Sept. 18, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The plaintiff is Holly Paz, a former IRS official.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Internal Revenue Service (- United States (national) -), Federal
Department of Treasurey, Federal
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.: