IRS contractor charged with leaking Trump’s tax records and numerous others.
A contractor for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) escaped significant charges Friday with a single criminal charge from the Department of Justice (DOJ) for leaking thousands of prominent tax records, including those of former President Donald Trump, which were leaked shortly before the 2020 presidential election.
Charles Littlejohn, a 38-year-old IRS consultant in Washington D.C., was charged by federal prosecutors with one count of unauthorized disclosure of tax returns and return information.
A press release from the Justice Department claims Littlejohn “stole tax return information associated with a high-ranking government official” and then “disclosed it to a news organization.” Prosecutors did not name either the “high-ranking government official” or the news organization in question, but ABC News reported that a “person familiar with the matter confirmed … the unnamed high-ranking government official is Trump.”
President Donald Trump’s taxes were leaked to The New York Times weeks ahead of the 2020 election.
Federal prosecutors also accused Littlejohn of stealing “tax return information for thousands of the nation’s wealthiest individuals, and disclos[ing] this tax return information to another news organization.” That news organization was left-wing smear factory ProPublica, according to Fox News reporting.
In the summer of 2021, ProPublica published “The Secret IRS Files: Trove of Never-Before-Seen Records Reveal How the Wealthiest Avoid Income Tax.” Individuals whose tax records were released include Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Michael Bloomberg.
“ProPublica has obtained a vast trove of Internal Revenue Service data on the tax returns of thousands of the nation’s wealthiest people, covering more than 15 years,” the group reported. “The data provides an unprecedented look inside the financial lives of America’s titans, including Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Rupert Murdoch and Mark Zuckerberg. It shows not just their income and taxes, but also their investments, stock trades, gambling winnings and even the results of audits.”
[RELATED:[RELATED:Billionaires Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Mike Bloomberg Dodged Federal Income Taxes]
If convicted, Littlejohn faces a maximum of five years in prison.
The single charge against Littlejohn follows criticism of the Justice Department from IRS whistleblowers who claim the agency sought to hamper a federal tax investigation into Hunter Biden. Whistleblowers say the DOJ thwarted investigative efforts, slow-walked cooperation with tax agents, and even concealed critical evidence implicating President Joe Biden in a criminal bribery scheme. The most significant felonies of which Hunter Biden was suspected, said veteran IRS agent Gary Shapley this summer, “were left off the table.”
Tristan Justice is the western correspondent for The Federalist and the author of Social Justice Redux, a conservative newsletter on culture, health, and wellness. He has also written for The Washington Examiner and The Daily Signal. His work has also been featured in Real Clear Politics and Fox News. Tristan graduated from George Washington University where he majored in political science and minored in journalism. Follow him on Twitter at @JusticeTristan or contact him at [email protected]. Sign up for Tristan’s email newsletter here.
What steps should the IRS take to strengthen its security measures and ensure the confidentiality of taxpayer information in light of the high-profile leaks involving former President Donald Trump’s tax records
Cy has not done enough to protect taxpayer information from unauthorized disclosure. The incident involving the leakage of prominent tax records, including those of former President Donald Trump, raises concerns about the security and confidentiality of sensitive information held by the IRS.
The criminal charge against Charles Littlejohn, an IRS consultant, highlights the seriousness of the offense. Littlejohn is accused of unauthorized disclosure of tax returns and return information. According to the press release by the Department of Justice, he allegedly stole tax return information associated with a high-ranking government official and disclosed it to a news organization. While the official and the news organization were not explicitly named in the press release, it has been reported that the official is none other than former President Donald Trump and the news organization is likely The New York Times.
This case sheds light on the vulnerability of taxpayer information in the digital age. The leak of President Trump’s tax returns to The New York Times just weeks before the 2020 presidential election created a media frenzy and raised questions about the integrity of the electoral process. It is alarming to think that sensitive information can be accessed and leaked, potentially influencing public opinion and political outcomes.
Additionally, the accusation that Littlejohn stole tax return information for thousands of wealthy individuals and disclosed it to another news organization, namely ProPublica, raises further concerns. ProPublica’s publication of “The Secret IRS Files” exposed the financial details and tax avoidance strategies of some of the nation’s wealthiest individuals. It is disconcerting to realize that such personal and confidential information can be accessed and exploited.
The implications of this case go beyond the actions of one individual. It raises questions about the IRS’s policies and practices in safeguarding taxpayer information. Whistleblowers within the IRS have criticized the agency for not doing enough to prevent unauthorized disclosure and protect the privacy of taxpayers. The leaking of sensitive tax records not only undermines public trust in the IRS but also threatens the fundamental principles of privacy and data security that are essential in a modern society.
If convicted, Littlejohn could face up to five years in prison. While this may serve as a deterrent for potential wrongdoers, it does not address the larger issue at hand. The IRS must take immediate and effective measures to strengthen its security measures, ensure the confidentiality of taxpayer information, and hold individuals accountable for their actions. This incident should serve as a wake-up call for the IRS and prompt a thorough review of its practices and procedures.
In conclusion, the criminal charge against the IRS consultant for leaking prominent tax records, including those of former President Donald Trump, raises serious concerns about the security and confidentiality of taxpayer information. This case highlights the vulnerability of sensitive data in the digital age and underscores the need for stronger measures to protect personal information. The IRS must address these concerns, restore public trust, and take concrete steps to safeguard taxpayer information from unauthorized disclosure.
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