American Tax Officer

Gavin rested his chin on his hand and thought for about a minute before saying, "Don't relax the surveillance on David. Also, those few inspection squads you mentioned, try to keep an eye on what they're up to."

"Understood."

...

Governor's Mansion.

Eugene drove there, entered the hall, found Stevenson, and detailed David's activities of the entire day.

When Stevenson heard that David had actually gone to the FBI Office, he appeared surprised and asked anxiously, "Do you know what he went there for?"

"According to the message from over there, he went to see Gavin, but it seems Gavin was unhappy with him bringing people over to the FBI Office so arrogantly, so he didn't pay him any attention."

"Is that so..."

Although Stevenson didn't know what David went to see Gavin for, he felt it definitely wasn't anything good.

"Governor, I think through the channels of the state tax bureau, they must know that Bowen's investigative report originated from the FBI. This visit of David to Gavin is probably about this matter."

After listening to Eugene's analysis, Stevenson also felt it made some sense, his expression darkened as he replied, "Then it seems this kid is still not being honest..."

"Yes, and all day today, he hasn't made any moves against Lawson Rubins. If you say he's really here to deal with Lawson Rubins as we requested, that doesn't seem to make sense either."

Stevenson fell silent for a while before replying at last, "Continue to observe for now. If he still shows no intention of taking action against Lawson Rubins by tomorrow, we'll give him a little nudge!"

"Yes."

...

Night, with a bright moon hanging high.

Many officials at the city hall were still nervous and restless about David's arrival, unable to sleep through the night.

The FBI agents were also keeping a constant watch on David as well as the movements of the Ninglin State Tax Bureau.

As for the five inspection squads arranged by the Ninglin State Tax Bureau, they were working overnight, pursuing and arresting people based on the materials David had provided.

Time quickly moved to nine o'clock the next morning.

At the FBI Office Building, as soon as Gavin arrived in his office, he immediately called his trusted agents and asked, "How's it going, anything from last night?"

"Nothing from David's side, he and his men stayed in the hotel all night. The latest update is they just finished breakfast and are currently heading to the Ninglin Branch Office."

"What about the Ninglin State Tax Bureau?"

"Their inspection squads did make some big moves last night, nabbing several groups of people."

"They nabbed several groups? Who?"

"Some criminals and some leaders of enterprises."

Gavin's face tightened as he asked, "Do any of these people know me, or are they connected to me in any way?"

"Not at all..."

Upon hearing this, Gavin felt a weight lift off his chest. Since these people had nothing to do with him, it was definitely not a move against him.

Could it be that David was just helping the Ninglin State Tax Bureau generate revenue?

That was a possibility.

After all, Carson City in Nevada was the only place where the crackdown directive had not been lifted, so the local tax bureau was no doubt harboring some complaints against David.

Now that David had come here, it would be normal for him to throw a bone to the local tax bureau to chew on.

With this in mind, Gavin remarked, "Alright, keep watching."

Ninglin State Tax Bureau.

David and his entourage had already arrived there.

Upon hearing of his arrival,

The five directors from the previous day arrived at his office as soon as possible.

"Director David, here are the confessions, the financial details, and other documents you requested, all of them right here."

"Director David, our squad has also finished the task."

"..."

The five individuals handed over their neatly organized documents one by one.

After David had opened and checked that there were no issues, he asked, "No one from the FBI side noticed anything, right?"

Bezi showed a cunning expression and laughed, "Heh, they don't have many agents they can mobilize, and last night during our operation, not only did we catch some people you needed, but we also caught a bunch of other criminals to mix in. They definitely won't notice we were targeting them."

David nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Then since that's the case, go ahead with the arrests. After the arrests, leak some information to the media, but if they ask, you neither confirm nor deny."

After saying that, he turned to Bucky Nisen Simmons, "You wanted to vent your frustrations, right? Follow Director Bezi."

At these words, Nisen Bucky Simmons got pumped, all rubbing their hands in anticipation.

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After being snubbed the day before and having no outlet for their gloom, now that they had the chance, they were eager to let off some steam.

"Okay, we'll handle it."

Director Bezi's group of five also unanimously agreed.

Although they didn't know the purpose behind Director David's decision to target the FBI, the operation last night did indeed bring in a substantial amount of taxes, and now they were off to pick up someone from the FBI office, a matter of great prestige, which they were naturally willing to undertake.

Ten minutes later.

Five cars arrived at the entrance of the FBI office. The doors opened, and people like Bucky Nisen and Director Bezi stepped out and walked into the lobby.

"What's this all about, Ninglin State Tax Bureau? Bringing so many people to our FBI Office?"

The grand display startled the FBI agents coming in and out, and many approached immediately, seeking an explanation.

As the Chief Tax Officer, Bezi should have come forward.

But, considering Nisen Baki and the others had also come, and Director David had previously said to let his subordinates assert themselves, Bezi cleverly deferred, turning his attention to the three of them, intending to give them the chance to take center stage.

Nisen didn't hold back and stepped forward to announce, "After investigation by our Ninglin State Tax Bureau, several of your FBI senior agents, including Bertie Louis, Senior Agent Alec Sylvester, Special Agent Polly Algernon… as well as five others, are suspected of tax evasion. We would now like to ask them to accompany us back for investigation!"

This statement left the FBI personnel on site dumbfounded.

Ever since the IRS was established by Lincoln, it has wielded considerable power, but throughout these years, there has never been a precedent of the IRS arresting FBI personnel, much less at their office.

The reason for this is quite simple.

Since the FBI's funding comes from allocations by the American Treasury Department, the FBI does not need to report taxes to the IRS.

Furthermore, the use and management of the FBI's budget are audited by the American Treasury Department to ensure the funds are used legally, in compliance, and effectively.

Hence, the FBI does not require audits by the IRS.

For many years, these two powerful institutions have non-interfering existences.

Therefore, when they heard that staff from the IRS were there to arrest their FBI personnel under charges of tax evasion, the agents present were caught off guard and couldn't react.

"Don't be so surprised. You all are aware of the 'Black Tax Bill' passed by Congress on December 3rd last year. We have the authority to pursue accountability for any illegal income. Is that clear?"

Upon hearing Nisen's words again, the agents finally realized the gravity of the situation.

Indeed.

Under past circumstances, the IRS had no authority to audit or investigate their tax affairs, but according to the Black Tax Bill now, not just the FBI but even the President would be subject to investigation by the IRS if found to have illegal income.

On the third floor, in the Special Agent's office.

Special Agent Gavin was on the phone with the high-ranking officials from the FBI in Washington D.C.

Suddenly, an agent burst in without knocking, which made Gavin frown instantly before he said to the person on the phone, "Sorry, Deputy Director Hosein, there's something I need to handle here. I'll send you a detailed report on that case later…"

After ending the call, he suppressed his anger and asked, "What's the matter?"

"It's not good, Mr. Gavin, people from the IRS are here, saying that our Bertie Louis, Senior Agent Alec Sylvester, and Special Agent Polly Algernon… have issues with suspected tax evasion and want to 'invite' them back for investigation."

"What did you say!?"

Special Agent Gavin was first shocked, then a sense of foreboding rose within him.

He was no fool. If the IRS dared such a brazen approach, they must be quite confident.

If the situation escalated, even the IRS wouldn't escape unscathed—after all, the FBI was not to be trifled with.

Could it be…

The confidence of the IRS stemmed from those arrested the night before?

This thought gave Gavin a sense of miscalculation. He had been so focused on preventing Director David from targeting him that he seemed to have overlooked the possibility of his subordinates being targeted.

However, even if he had wanted to be on his guard, it would likely have been quite difficult considering the number of agents at his office.

Who knew whom Director David would target?

But no matter what.

If any of his subordinates really had issues uncovered, as the head of the FBI in Nevada, not only would he be held accountable, but he might be in the position of not being able to escape the consequences.

There has never been a precedent of FBI personnel being arrested by the IRS, and if such a precedent arose in his jurisdiction, he would certainly have to take the blame!

With this in mind, Gavin couldn't afford further delay. He got up immediately and walked out of his office, hastening to the lobby on the first floor.

Once there, he saw his trusted subordinates negotiating with the Tax Bureau people, and he stepped forward to ask, "What's going on, why are people from the IRS arresting someone at our FBI?"

His words immediately drew everyone's attention to him.

Nisen replied with a sneer, "Oh, if it isn't Special Agent Gavin. Weren't you very busy yesterday, or preoccupied as I've heard? What, not so busy now?"

Special Agent Gavin of course picked up on the mockery.

He was, after all, the chief of the FBI in Nevada. Now, being ridiculed by a mere Inspector was infuriating.

Nevertheless, he still suppressed his anger and scanned the crowd, intent on confronting Director David directly. But not finding Director David there, his anger rose a notch higher.

He then scolded, "What now, the big shot doesn't dare show his face and sends you lackeys instead? Tell Director David to come out and speak!"

"Our Director is very busy and doesn't have the time to deal with such trivial matters."

Having said that, Nisen felt a thrill of triumph wash over him.

Didn't Special Agent Gavin dismiss them yesterday with the excuse of being too busy? Now he could throw back that Director David was too busy as well, hitting back hard!