A lawyer in Washington, D. C. has filed a complaint with the IRS against the Missouri Catholic Conference. The complaint by lawyer Marcus Owens questions the conference’s tax-empt status. He cites a letter sent to state lawmakers that he says urges them to reject campaign donations from a group backing stem cell research. Owens says the Conference is trying to intimidate state lawmakers who are candidates. A spokesman for the conference denies the letter makes any threats or violates IRS rules.