Donald Trump and his family have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The suit alleges the agencies failed to prevent the unlawful disclosure of their tax returns.
Details of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit centers on the argument that the IRS and Treasury Department did not take adequate steps to safeguard tax information. This failure, according to the claim, allowed a former IRS employee to illegally share the Trump family’s tax returns with the media.
The Leak and its Consequences
The tax information leak occurred in 2020, when The New York Times published a report detailing Donald Trump’s tax filings from 2000 to 2018, as well as those of his businesses. The reporting indicated that Trump paid a relatively low amount of taxes considering the scale of his companies.
Charles Littlejohn, 38, was identified as the individual who leaked the tax information. He was sentenced to five years of imprisonment, with three years of supervised release, and fined $5,000.
Potential Next Steps
It is possible the lawsuit could lead to a review of IRS data security protocols. A judge could also rule on whether the IRS and Treasury Department had a legal obligation to prevent the leak. Further legal proceedings are likely to unfold as the case progresses. It is also possible the case could be settled out of court.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the lawsuit?
The lawsuit was prompted by the alleged failure of the IRS and the Department of the Treasury to prevent the illegal disclosure of Donald Trump and his family’s tax returns to the media.
When did the tax information leak occur?
The tax information leak occurred in 2020, with The New York Times publishing a report based on the leaked documents.
What was the outcome for the individual who leaked the information?
Charles Littlejohn, the former IRS employee who leaked the information, was sentenced to five years in prison in January 2024, along with three years of supervised release and a $5,000 fine.
What implications might this case have for the public’s access to information regarding the finances of public figures?
