I ran into this on the ABA-TAX listserv. A NJ CPA filed a lawsuit. I'm not sure who all he is suing. It may be a combination of the IRS,the TIGTA, and a few revenue officers.
He has has some RO's trying to pursuade clients who had not already signed POA's not to sign one and to persuade clients who had already signed POA's to void them. After complaining to the office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, he has been threatened with having his license revoke for filing a the complaint!
Interesting every follow-up has been in agreement with his situation. I had a situation that went into Collections in 2000 in spite of my explaining it umpteen times on the phone. Finally I got a call from someone in Collections. When I told her to check my POA, she said we were past representation and she was attempting to collect. Using three-way calling, I got my CPA on the phone and he explained the problem in terms she understood. He had to schedule a meeting to clear it up. And no, I did not owe anything.
So this appears to be a long-term abusive practice. If an attorney did that, they could face disbarment.
I like this guy. He's a "You can't threaten me" kind a guy.
Dick