Here's a link to one media article on the topic:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertwood/2012/11/15/new-crackdown-on-using-independent-contractors/It would appear the DOL has been spurred by a GAO report claiming 1099's cost the government billions in 'lost' taxes, and a 30% 'misclassification' is alleged. Since the IRS is the collector, you bet they're interested.
The States are getting involved as well. FedEx has more recently been in the news, losing a fight with California at the Federal Appeal level:
http://www.mboenterprise.com/blog/fedex-may-be-over-1-billion-employee-misclassification
