Nancy Jardini Named
Chief of Criminal Investigation

WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service announced today the selection of Nancy J. Jardini as Chief of Criminal Investigation (CI), the agency´s law enforcement division.

Jardini, the first woman in CI's 85-year history to lead the organization, will direct a nationwide staff of about 4,500 employees, including more than 2,900 special agents. CI special agents investigate and assist in the prosecution of criminal tax, money laundering and narcotics-related financial crime cases.

“Nancy is a tough, no-nonsense former prosecutor with the right blend of skills to lead this important organization,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. “I am confident that she will both respect the storied tradition of our Criminal Investigation division and help provide a reinvigorated focus on criminal tax enforcement.”

Jardini replaces David B. Palmer, who served as Chief from November 2002 until his retirement earlier this month.

Her selection fills one of the final remaining positions on the leadership team for Everson, who became Commissioner in May. Jardini will work closely with the Commissioners of the IRS Operating Divisions:

• Dale Hart leads the Small Business / Self-Employed Division.
• Deborah M. Nolan runs the Large and Mid-Size Business Division.
• Henry O. Lamar Jr. heads the Wage and Investment Division.
• Evelyn Petschek oversees the Tax-Exempt and Government Entities Division.

“I am committed to CI´s mission of investigating potential criminal violations and building faith in the tax system,” Jardini said. “We will continue vigorously investigating tax law violations while, at the same time, contributing to our nation´s fight against corporate fraud, terrorism and drug trafficking.”

Since January 2003, Jardini had served as the Deputy Chief, CI -- the first woman to serve in that leadership role. Prior to joining CI, she was the IRS Associate Chief Counsel/Division Counsel for Criminal Tax. She directed a nationwide staff of attorneys in 35 locations. Those criminal tax specialists worked closely with the special agents and managers of CI during their investigations relating to criminal violations of the Internal Revenue laws and other statutes for which the IRS has enforcement responsibility.

Jardini, who has been a criminal law practitioner for more than fifteen years, came to the IRS in July 2000 from the Criminal Division of the Justice Department. In addition to her experience as both a federal prosecutor and as a defense attorney, she has written and lectured extensively on a variety of topics related to criminal law and procedure. Jardini earned a bachelor's degree from Chatham College in 1985 and a juris doctor degree from Villanova University in 1988. She is a native of Pittsburgh, Penn.

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