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.

  • IHeartBadCode@kbin.social
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    5 months ago

    It’s not that you’re wrong, it’s that the chance to fix things “within the system” flew the coop decades ago

    I don’t disagree with the rest of your comment. But I see the younger generation of our time and I have hope. Maybe foolish hope. Myself being part of the fucking old person crew. I don’t think we’re yet too far gone, but my goodness you’re right, if it hasn’t flown the coop yet, it’s already got it’s boarding pass.

    • Snot Flickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      5 months ago

      I have a lot of hope in the youth as well! However, I try not to let that cloud me to the reality of a government that was never really created to represent all its citizens. America has had its good times, and it has had its time when its been a leader, hell it’s still a leader in many ways, but so much of the power is so entrenched, I also worry for the youth’s future.

      I don’t think your opinion is really unpopular per se, as much as many of us wonder if it’s even possible anymore. God, if only we could still live in that world! If I could have faith that the people around me were participating in the systems therein in good faith, I wouldn’t feel the way I do about the whole situation.

      Cheers, mate. Thanks, by the way, for being willing to hear my perspective. It’s nice when folks can find their common ground.