In a significant development, a consultant working for the IRS has been charged with leaking private tax information concerning former President Donald Trump and numerous affluent individuals. The charges were announced by the Justice Department, alleging that Charles Littlejohn, 38, of Washington, D.C., stole these files while employed as a government contractor and provided them to two news organizations. Although the agencies remain unnamed, it is presumed to refer to ProPublica and the New York Times.
Potential Consequences for Littlejohn
If convicted, Littlejohn could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Notably, the charges were filed as “criminal information,” indicating the possibility of a plea deal by the defendant.
The Astonishing Leak
The charges come more than two years after ProPublica reported obtaining a substantial amount of tax and income information about wealthy individuals, some of whom are widely recognized figures, dating back approximately 15 years. This extensive leak, in terms of scale and sensitivity, stunned many IRS veterans, as unauthorized disclosures of tax filings are exceptionally rare due to robust safeguards in place.
Biden Administration’s Response
The Biden administration’s silence regarding the leak’s details or the circumstances surrounding it had raised questions. Some Republicans accused Democrats of strategically disclosing this information to bolster their congressional push for increased taxes on the affluent.
Security Concerns Renewed
The case is likely to reignite concerns about security measures not only within the IRS but also among individuals and organizations granted various levels of access to private tax information. From the outset, some IRS insiders speculated that the leak might have originated from someone outside the agency, possibly a contractor.
Calls for Action
Senator Mike Crapo, the leading Republican on the Finance Committee, emphasized the need for resolving ongoing security issues at the IRS and prioritizing the identification and support of those impacted by this breach.
Ken Griffin, a hedge fund manager who had his records leaked, filed a lawsuit against the IRS, alleging inadequate protection of his tax filings. He stressed the government’s fundamental obligation to safeguard Americans’ sensitive information, including tax records.
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