On Monday, Judge Ana Reyes handed down a five-year prison sentence, three years of supervised release, and a $5000 fine to Charles Littlejohn, the former IRS contractor responsible for leaking former President Donald Trump’s tax records.
Trump tax records leaker Charles Littlejohn is not going to do well in the slammer pic.twitter.com/1hFs9R1YrR
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) January 29, 2024
In rebuking Littlejohn, Judge Reyes stated that the deliberate disclosure of confidential information was “an unacceptable assault on our constitutional democracy.”
Judge Reyes added: “The press tells us Democracy dies in darkness. It also dies in lawlessness. There are numerous lawful means to bring things to light. Trump was under no obligation to expose his returns. People could vote for someone else. They could run against him.”
Littlejohn allegedly lost his position as an IRS consultant in 2019 after disclosing Trump’s tax returns to the media, citing concerns about Trump being a “threat to democracy,” as per the Department of Justice. Despite the DOJ recommending prosecution on one count, Judge Reyes disagreed, emphasizing the substantial nature of Littlejohn’s actions and the need for increased accountability.
Prosecutors outlined that Charles Littlejohn undertook extensive measures to covertly steal tax records, exploiting system vulnerabilities.
— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) January 29, 2024
He downloaded data onto an Apple iPod and subsequently uploaded it to a privately owned website, which he later deleted.… pic.twitter.com/GUBDm2ns92
During the trial, prosecutors contended that Littlejohn utilized his access to unmasked taxpayer data as a tool to advance his personal political agenda, asserting that he believed himself to be beyond the constraints of the law.
“A free press and public engagement with the media are critical to any healthy democracy, but stealing and leaking private, personal tax information strips individuals of the legal protection of their most sensitive data,” prosecutors added.
According to a Fox News report, Judge Reyes agreed and stated during the judgment that “Littlejohn had clearly concocted a long-term plan to violate Trump’s privacy.”
“He did not make a snap judgment. He made a series of decisions,” said Judge Reyes. “This court cannot let others view this conduct as acceptable. I need to send the strongest possible message that we are a nation of laws.”
