The IRS consultant who released Donald Trump's tax returns, Charles Littlejohn, got the job to intentionally disclose the records, prosecutors said.

A former Internal Revenue Service contractor, who leaked tax information about Donald Trump and other wealthy individuals to news organizations, got his job to intentionally to spread the confidential records, according to Justice Department prosecutors.

Charles Edward Littlejohn, 38, of Washington, pleaded guilty in October to unauthorized disclosure of tax return and return information. U.S. District Judge Ana Reye scheduled sentencing for Jan. 29. Prosecutors recommended Tuesday he receive the maximum sentence of five years in prison.

“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,” wrote prosecutors Corey Amundson, chief of the Justice Department’s public integrity section, Jennifer Clarke and Jonathan Jacobson.

    • Skydancer@pawb.social
      44·
      10 months ago

      Silly as it sounds, this is exactly how to support him. That and writing letters. It means so much to incarcerated folks to have the few things from commissary that make life just a little less miserable, and what to spend it on is a bit of choice and independence in a system designed to take every bit of those things away as a means of grinding inmates down.

      Letters are just as important - a lifeline to the outside. Sometimes literally. Guards know who is in regular contact with people outside, and who doesn’t have anyone to report abuse to. Being able to communicate things like unmet medical needs so someone can set up a call campaign can be life or death.

        • lad@programming.dev
          2·
          10 months ago

          I believe the part about having something to feel connected to life is common. The part where you can write someone about abuse and issues seems more like the US thing

        • Skydancer@pawb.social
          6·
          10 months ago

          He may not be incarcerated yet. He was only sentenced last week, and once he surrenders it may take a few days for his info to show up. Since this was federal, he’ll be going to a federal prison. When he does, you’ll find him here. That will give you his register number, and a link to the prison page where information on how to address mail can be found for the facility he’s in.