IR-2004-6, Jan. 13, 2004 WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today the selection of Richard Speier Jr., as Deputy Chief, Criminal Investigation. Speier will report directly to Nancy Jardini, who was appointed last week to be Chief of Criminal Investigation (CI). “Rick and I are 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.” As Deputy Chief, Speier will serve in a leadership role assisting in the direction of the division. In that role, Speier will direct the day-to-day nationwide criminal investigation operations, managing the policies and programs for the prosecution of criminal tax, money laundering and narcotics-related financial crime cases. Speier, a career IRS criminal investigator said, "IRS special agents are renowned for their unique financial investigative skills. I look forward to my role with Nancy, in providing the leadership to continue our tradition of professionalism in tax administration and law enforcement and service to the American taxpayer." Previously, Speier was the Director, Field Operations, for CI’s Pacific Area. In that capacity, Speier was responsible for planning, directing and evaluating criminal investigation programs and activities in the Pacific Area, which includes the states of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska and Hawaii. Speier began his IRS career in 1977 as a special agent in Los Angeles. He has held numerous leadership positions, including Group Manager and Branch Chief in Los Angeles; Executive Assistant in San Francisco; Chief in San Jose; Chief in Los Angeles, and Director of Investigations, Western Region. In April 1999, Speier served as acting Deputy Assistant Commissioner (CI) until February 2000 when he was selected to serve as the Chief, CI Design, Phase III, Implementation Team. In April 2000, Speier was selected as the Director, Field Operations, under the new CI organization. Speier is a graduate of California Polytechnic University in Pomona, California. He is a native of Indianapolis. Subscribe to IRS Newswire
