A former IRS contractor who leaked the tax returns of several wealthy and powerful individuals, including former President Donald Trump, was sentenced to five years in prison this week.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced criminal charges last September against 38-year-old Charles Edward Littlejohn, who was a contractor with the IRS from 2018 to 2020. Littlejohn pled guilty in October 2023 to unauthorized disclosure of tax returns and return information.
As a government contractor, Littlejohn “stole” Trump’s tax return information, the DOJ said on Monday, adding that he took steps to conceal his activities so he wouldn’t get caught. He also stole the tax return information of thousands of America’s wealthiest individuals, including figures like Jeff Bezos.
Judge Ana Reyes, a Biden nominee, imposed the maximum sentence on Littlejohn in federal court and compared him to those who participated in the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
“When you target the sitting president of the United States, you’re targeting the office and when you’re targeting the office of the president of the United States, you’re targeting democracy — you’re targeting our constitutional system of government,” she said, adding: “It cannot be open season on our elected officials — it just can’t.”
Acting Inspector General Heather Hill of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) said that the sentence should “serve as a warning to anyone who is considering emulating Mr. Littlejohn’s actions.”
“TIGTA relentlessly investigates individuals who illicitly access and disclose taxpayer information, regardless of their personal motivation,” she added. “TIGTA appreciates the commitment of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in ensuring those who abuse their positions of public trust are held accountable for their actions.”