Final month federal prosecutors charged a former IRS contractor who labored for the company from 2018 to 2020 for unlawfully acquiring and disseminating the tax particulars of a high-ranking public official and quite a few prosperous Individuals to media shops.
In line with court docket paperwork and an official press launch from the Department of Justice, Charles Littlejohn, 38, of Washington, D.C., stole tax return info related to a high-ranking authorities official, known as Public Official A. He then disclosed this info to a information group recognized as Information Group 1.
A supply aware of the matter knowledgeable CNN that the unnamed official talked about within the authorized paperwork is former President Donald Trump.
Littlejohn reportedly stole IRS info on 1000’s of rich individuals. The stolen info was then disseminated to 2 information shops.
“In July and August 2020, Littlejohn individually stole tax return info for 1000’s of the nation’s wealthiest people. Littlejohn was once more capable of evade IRS detection. In November 2020, Littlejohn disclosed this tax return info to Information Group 2, which printed over 50 articles utilizing the stolen knowledge. Littlejohn then obstructed the forthcoming investigation into his conduct by deleting and destroying proof of his disclosures.” the DOJ mentioned.
In line with the Justice Division, Littlejohn pleaded responsible to leaking Trump’s tax returns.
“An IRS contractor, Charles Littlejohn, 38, of Washington, D.C., pleaded responsible right now to disclosing tax return info with out authorization.” the DOJ mentioned in a press release.
“By utilizing his function as a authorities contractor to achieve entry to personal tax info, steal that info, and disclose it publicly, Charles Littlejohn broke federal regulation and betrayed the general public’s belief,” mentioned Legal professional Normal Merrick Garland. “In each case, the Division of Justice is dedicated to following the information wherever they lead and holding accountable those that violate our legal guidelines.”
“The unauthorized theft and disclosure of tax return info by authorities staff or contractors is a severe breach of the general public’s belief,” mentioned Appearing Assistant Legal professional Normal Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Division’s Felony Division. “The Division will maintain accountable those that illegally exploit their entry to delicate private info.”
