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IRS contractor Charles Littlejohn accused of disclosing Trump's tax returns

Former IRS Contractor Charles Littlejohn Faces Accusations of Disclosing Trump's Tax Returns

Written By Michael Kaplan, Robert Legare
Last Updated: September 29, 2023 / 7:45 PM

IRS Contractor Accused of Disclosing Trump's Tax Returns

Charles Littlejohn, an ex-contractor who was in service with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), is currently under scrutiny for reportedly revealing tax return data about a top-ranked government dignitary and numerous high net worth individuals without any official consent, as cited in the criminal complaint lodged recently in Washington D.C. The court's records do not mention the identity of the alleged government officer; however, an anonymous source has confirmed to CBS News that the individual in question is former U.S President Donald Trump.

Based on the details from the court reports, Littlejohn, a 38-year-old resident of Washington, D.C., reportedly accessed and shared Trump's tax data with a media agency. He has been indicted with charges of unauthorized disclosure of tax returns and tax-related information. If found guilty, he might be sentenced to five years of imprisonment at most.

The government further alleges that Littlejohn disclosed tax return data concerning thousands of the country's wealthiest people with another media company. Prosecutors claim that these news organizations, which the anonymous source verified as The New York Times and Pro Publica, have subsequently published various articles utilizing the information Littlejohn provided.

Littlejohn's attorney has so far not provided any comment regarding the allegations. Similarly, a spokesperson for Donald Trump has not yet responded to requests for comments. The New York Times and Pro Publica have not faced any charges of wrongdoing related to this matter. According to a statement provided by Pro Publica to CBS News, "ProPublica doesn't know the identity of the source who provided this trove of information on the taxes paid by the wealthiest Americans." The New York Times declined to comment.

When The New York Times previously published a detailed report on Trump's tax returns in September 2020, Dean Baquet, the then-editor, wrote, "Some may question the decision to publish the president's tax information. But the Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled in favor of the First Amendment, allowing the press to disseminate newsworthy data legally obtained by reporters, even if the people in power object to its release. This powerful First Amendment principle is applicable here."

Reporting contribution by Ryan Sprouse

More from CBS News:

  • Court denies bid by ex-DOJ official Jeffrey Clark to move 2020 election case
  • In Anaheim, Trump advocates shooting people who rob stores
  • Another suit to disqualify Trump under Constitution's "insurrection" clause filed in Michigan
  • Georgia RICO defendant is first in Trump election case to take plea deal

First published on September 29, 2023 / 7:31 PM
© 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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