1115.org

I.R.S. to Cut Tax Auditors (NYT):

The federal government is moving to eliminate the jobs of nearly half of the lawyers at the Internal Revenue Service who audit tax returns of some of the wealthiest Americans, specifically those who are subject to gift and estate taxes when they transfer parts of their fortunes to their children and others.
[…]
Sharyn Phillips, a veteran I.R.S. estate tax lawyer in Manhattan, called the cuts a “back-door way for the Bush administration to achieve what it cannot get from Congress, which is repeal of the estate tax.”

Costa Rica sports bookies could cut off US gamblers (Reuters):

Online sports betting firms employing thousands of Costa Ricans could turn away U.S. gamblers after the arrest in Texas this week of a leading industry executive, but for now it remains business as usual.

A crusade by U.S. prosecutors against the $12 billion a year Internet betting industry may be enough of a headache for international bookies to give up the United States, their largest market.

On Monday, U.S. authorities detained David Carruthers, the Scottish chief executive of BETonSPORTS as he changed planes in Dallas. BETonSPORTS was one of several individuals and companies facing charges of racketeering, conspiracy and fraud under an indictment.