Charles Littlejohn, a 38-year-old contractor, has pleaded guilty to disclosing tax return information without authorization. The former contractor for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) intentionally sought employment with the agency to perpetuate the crime.
He was charged with leaking tax information concerning Donald Trump, Jeff Bezos, and other affluent individuals to various news organizations. According to prosecutors, Littlejohn exploited his position within the IRS to access and disclose sensitive taxpayer data unlawfully. His actions demonstrated an apparent disregard and violation of federal privacy laws.
“After applying to work as an IRS consultant with the intention of accessing and disclosing tax returns, Defendant weaponized his access to unmasked taxpayer data to further his own personal, political agenda, believing that he was above the law,” prosecutors Corey Amundson, Chief of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section, Jennifer Clarke and Jonathan Jacobson mentioned.
Littlejohn was characterized as a college graduate with a loving family who had achieved success working as a consultant. However, despite his professional achievements, his actions had consequences. “Based on his training, his personal experience, and his work, he understood the gravity of his offense. He understood the impact that it would have on his victims. But he acted anyway,” the prosecutors wrote.
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The revelations surrounding Littlejohn’s actions expose the calculated and deliberate plan to access and disclose sensitive tax return information. The contractor had previously worked as an IRS consultant from 2008 to 2013. However, he sought to return to the agency in 2017 to access and disclose tax information.
The 38-year-old did not conduct targeted searches on former President Trump’s returns. He knew it would attract attention. Instead, he used sophisticated methods to gather data about various influential people, including Trump. This approach allowed him to access sensitive information without raising suspicion.
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Furthermore, court records suggested that Littlejohn took deliberate steps to cover his tracks. He did so by destroying machines onto which he had downloaded the information. “Throughout Defendant’s scheme, he undertook efforts to obstruct and impede the investigation that he anticipated would follow the publication of the tax data he had stolen,” prosecutors said.
Indeed, his attempt to hide his actions shows the lengths he went to prevent detection. Unfortunately, his actions have compromised the integrity of taxpayer data. It has also diminished public trust in the ability of government agencies to safeguard their sensitive information.
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“And the human impact of Defendant’s crimes is enormous. Many victims have come forward, expressing anger and embarrassment about the exposure of their personal financial information. Worse, it appears that the harm may continue indefinitely because stories continue to be published,” the prosecutors wrote.
Prosecutors have requested the statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for Littlejohn. The sentencing, which was scheduled to be held on January 29, 2024, has taken place.
United States District Judge Ana Reyes imposed a five-year sentence and a fine of $5,000 to Charles Littlejohn. The judge emphasized the severity of his crime and its impact on U.S. democracy. “When you target the sitting president of the United States, you target the office. It can not be open season on our elected officials,” she said.
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