A former IRS consultant, Charles Littlejohn, has been charged with leaking the tax returns of former President Trump and thousands of other wealthy individuals to news organizations. This is a significant development, as it is the first time that someone has been charged with leaking Trump’s tax returns.
Littlejohn is accused of stealing the tax returns between 2018 and 2020. He has been charged with one count of unauthorized disclosure of tax returns and return information and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted.
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration is currently investigating the case. It is unclear how Littlejohn was able to steal the tax returns, but the case raises serious concerns about the security of taxpayer data.
The leaking of Trump’s tax returns is also significant because it has shed light on his financial dealings. The returns show that Trump paid very little in federal income taxes in recent years. This has led to calls for Trump to be audited and for reforms to the tax code.
The case of Charles Littlejohn is a reminder of the importance of protecting taxpayer data. It is also a reminder of the power of the media to hold powerful people accountable.
There have been a few similar cases of tax return leaks in the past. In 2012, a former IRS employee was sentenced to three years in prison for leaking the tax returns of several wealthy individuals, including Mitt Romney. In 2015, a former IRS employee was sentenced to six months in prison for leaking the tax returns of several public figures, including then-Speaker of the House John Boehner.
In 2017, the Trump administration announced that it was investigating the leak of Trump’s tax returns to the New York Times. The investigation never resulted in any charges being filed.
The case of Charles Littlejohn is the most significant case of a tax return leak in recent years. It is the first time that someone has been charged with leaking Trump’s tax returns, and it is the largest known case of tax return theft.
The case of Charles Littlejohn raises serious concerns about the security of taxpayer data. It is important to note that the IRS has taken steps to improve the security of taxpayer data in recent years. However, the case of Littlejohn shows that there are still vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.
It is also important to note that the leaking of tax return information is a serious crime. It is punishable by up to five years in prison. The case of Charles Littlejohn is a reminder that there are consequences for leaking tax return information.