Raw: [Man charged with leaking Donald Trump tax returns BBC] {Article Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66968025}
BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountHomeNewsSportReelWorklifeTravelFutureMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportReelWorklifeTravelFutureCultureMusicTVWeatherSoundsClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeWar in UkraineClimateVideoWorldUS & CanadaUKBusinessTechScienceMoreEntertainment & ArtsHealthIn PicturesBBC VerifyWorld News TVNewsbeatUS & CanadaMan charged with leaking Donald Trump tax returnsPublished2 days agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersBy Alex BinleyBBC NewsA man in the US has been charged with leaking the tax returns of a “high-ranking government official” who is understood to be Donald Trump.Prosecutors said Charles Littlejohn, a contractor for the IRS – the US-wide tax body – stole the information and passed it on to a news organisation.He is also accused of stealing tax return information of “thousands” of the US's “wealthiest individuals”.The Department of Justice alleges this data was given to another outlet.Court documents say the two news organisations published “numerous articles” based on this information. Neither have been charged with any wrongdoing.Although the court documents do not name the government official, a source has confirmed to the BBC's partner in the US, CBS News, that it is former president Donald Trump. The same person also said that the news organisation which received information about Mr Trump's tax returns was The New York Times, while the second, which received information about other individuals was the ProPublica website.The New York Times declined to comment to CBS News about the claims, while ProPublica said in a statement to the outlet: “We have no comment on today's announcement from the DoJ. As we've said previously, ProPublica doesn't know the identity of the source who provided this trove of information on the taxes paid by the wealthiest Americans.”There has been no public comment from Mr Trump.Court documents claim that between 2017 and 2021, Mr Littlejohn worked for an unnamed consultancy which in turn worked on contracts from the US Department of the Treasury's IRS, dealing with tax administration.The papers go on to allege that between 2018 and 2020, while Mr Littlejohn was working on an IRS contract “he stole tax returns and return information”, some of which dated back more than 15 years. The charge against Mr Littlejohn is the unauthorised disclosure of tax returns and return information. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison. There has been no public comment from the Washington DC resident. A 2020 article in The New York Times, which is thought to have been based on the leaked information, claimed that Mr Trump paid just $750 (£580) in federal income tax both in 2016, the year he ran for the US presidency, and in his first year in the White House.The newspaper also said that he paid no income taxes at all in 10 of the previous 15 years and that the records reveal “chronic losses and years of tax avoidance”.Related TopicsDonald TrumpMore on this storyDonald Trump 'paid $750 in federal income taxes'Published28 September 2020The glitzy New York buildings that Trump could losePublished4 days agoBiggest moments from second Republican debatePublished4 days agoRepublicans step up Trump attacks in second debatePublished4 days agoTop StoriesFashion boss accused of exploiting men for sexPublished5 hours agoNo one is above the law, Trump told in New York fraud casePublished8 hours agoFive things to know about Trump's New York trialPublished4 hours agoFeaturesHow a sex abuse ring targeted Gabon's child footballersCrossing the Alps on foot to try to reach the UKWhy shutdowns seem to only happen in USCan India-Europe corridor rival China's Belt and Road?Taylor Swift joined by Hollywood stars at NFL gameThe people going 'monk mode' to limit social media useA 'stolen' totem pole's homecoming to CanadaRussia's police are overworked, demoralised, and quitting in drovesTiny Caribbean island’s incredible eco-restoration inspires othersElsewhere on the BBCThe companies paying for workers' holidaysThe dress that shocked the worldA place with air so clean it's bottledMost Read1Fashion boss accused of exploiting men for sex2Grizzly bear kills couple and their dog in Canada3Speaker Kevin McCarthy stares down right-wing coup4Kenya gets green light to take on Haiti gangs5Webb telescope finds planet-like objects in Orion6Five things to know about Trump's New York trial7Organ traffickers who took hundreds of kidneys arrested8Explosion at recycling plant after lightning strike9How Jeffries used shirtless models to sell Abercrombie10Taylor Swift joined by Hollywood stars at NFL gameBBC News ServicesOn your mobileOn smart speakersGet news alertsContact BBC NewsHomeNewsSportReelWorklifeTravelFutureCultureMusicTVWeatherSoundsTerms of UseAbout the BBCPrivacy PolicyCookiesAccessibility HelpParental GuidanceContact the BBCGet Personalised NewslettersWhy you can trust the BBCAdvertise with us© 2023 BBC. 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Please note that you will still see advertising, but it will not be personalised to you.You can change these settings by clicking “Ad Choices / Do not sell my info” in the footer at any time.Accept data collection and continueReject data collection and continueBBC NewsSkip to contentSectionsHomeUKWorldBusinessPoliticsTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationEntertainment & ArtsStoriesHomeUKWorldBusinessPoliticsTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationEntertainment & ArtsStoriesAdvertisementMan charged with leaking Donald Trump tax returnsBy Alex BinleyBBC News30 September 2023Image source, ReutersA man in the US has been charged with leaking the tax returns of a “high-ranking government official” who is understood to be Donald Trump.Prosecutors said Charles Littlejohn, a contractor for the IRS – the US-wide tax body – stole the information and passed it on to a news organisation.He is also accused of stealing tax return information of “thousands” of the US's “wealthiest individuals”.The Department of Justice alleges this data was given to another outlet.AdvertisementCourt documents say the two news organisations published “numerous articles” based on this information. Neither have been charged with any wrongdoing.Although the court documents do not name the government official, a source has confirmed to the BBC's partner in the US, CBS News, that it is former president Donald Trump. The same person also said that the news organisation which received information about Mr Trump's tax returns was The New York Times, while the second, which received information about other individuals was the ProPublica website.The New York Times declined to comment to CBS News about the claims, while ProPublica said in a statement to the outlet: “We have no comment on today's announcement from the DoJ. As we've said previously, ProPublica doesn't know the identity of the source who provided this trove of information on the taxes paid by the wealthiest Americans.”There has been no public comment from Mr Trump.Court documents claim that between 2017 and 2021, Mr Littlejohn worked for an unnamed consultancy which in turn worked on contracts from the US Department of the Treasury's IRS, dealing with tax administration.The papers go on to allege that between 2018 and 2020, while Mr Littlejohn was working on an IRS contract “he stole tax returns and return information”, some of which dated back more than 15 years. The charge against Mr Littlejohn is the unauthorised disclosure of tax returns and return information. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison. There has been no public comment from the Washington DC resident. A 2020 article in The New York Times, which is thought to have been based on the leaked information, claimed that Mr Trump paid just $750 (£580) in federal income tax both in 2016, the year he ran for the US presidency, and in his first year in the White House.The newspaper also said that he paid no income taxes at all in 10 of the previous 15 years and that the records reveal “chronic losses and years of tax avoidance”.Related topicsDonald TrumpRelated contentDonald Trump 'paid $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and 2017' – NY Times28 September 2020The New York buildings that Donald Trump could lose28 September 2023Second Republican debate: The biggest moments from debate stage28 September 2023Second Republican debate: Trump rivals spar in unruly debate28 September 2023Top StoriesAbercrombie & Fitch ex-CEO accused of exploiting men for sex5 hours agoHow Mike Jeffries used shirtless models to sell Abercrombie5 hours agoExplosion at recycling plant after lightning strike12 minutes agoFeatures & AnalysisCrossing the Alps on foot to try to reach the UK2 October 2023Can Meta’s new headset stop me feeling sick?5 hours agoLiverpool v Spurs VAR Q&A – what happens now?6 hours agoTory Conference Derailed By HS27 February 2020'Right time to tackle barriers in women's football'2 October 2023What is the minimum wage and how much is it?2 October 2023The people going 'monk mode' to limit social media use2 October 2023Why your new Apple iPhone 15 is overheating2 October 2023McIlroy & Rahm feature in best shots of the Ryder Cup2 October 2023Most readContent is not available{{rankTranslation}}{{title}}BBC NewsWhy you can trust the BBCTerms of UseAbout the BBCPrivacy PolicyCookiesAccessibility HelpContact the BBCDo not share or sell my info© 2023 BBC. 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