President Donald Trump has initiated legal action against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the US Treasury Department, alleging that they leaked his confidential tax information to various media outlets.The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Miami, seeks a minimum of $10 billion in damages and includes Trump's sons, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, along with the Trump Organization as co-plaintiffs.
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cnbc.comnews.bloombergtax.comThe civil complaint asserts that the IRS and Treasury failed to fulfill their duty to safeguard sensitive tax records, which were allegedly disclosed by former IRS contractor Charles Littlejohn between 2019 and 2020.Littlejohn is accused of illegally accessing and leaking Trump's tax data to publications like The New York Times and ProPublica, actions that were described in the lawsuit as politically motivated.
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news.bloombergtax.comkens5.comTrump's legal team has criticized the IRS for allowing a "rogue" employee to disseminate private information, claiming this breach has caused significant reputational and financial harm to the plaintiffs.The lawsuit contends that the agencies' negligence in maintaining proper security protocols led to the unauthorized disclosures, which have embarrassed Trump and tarnished their business reputations.
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cnbc.comnewscentermaine.comThe case revisits a controversy that gained prominence during Trump's presidency, particularly following a New York Times article published just before the 2020 election.This report revealed that Trump had paid only $750 in federal income taxes for 2016 and 2017, and none in ten of the previous fifteen years due to substantial reported losses.At that time, Trump dismissed the coverage as "totally fake news".
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news.bloombergtax.comindependent.co.ukLittlejohn, who worked for Booz Allen Hamilton, pleaded guilty to charges related to the leaks and was sentenced to five years in prison in January 2024.His actions were characterized by prosecutors as unprecedented in the IRS's history, leading to concerns about the agency's ability to protect taxpayer data.Following these events, the Treasury Department announced the cancellation of contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton, stating that the firm had failed to adequately secure sensitive taxpayer information.
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news.bloombergtax.comkens5.comIn their lawsuit, Trump and his co-plaintiffs argue that the actions of the IRS and Treasury Department not only caused reputational damage but also resulted in public embarrassment and a negative impact on their public standing.They accuse the agencies of acting with gross negligence and failing to implement necessary safeguards to prevent such leaks from occurring.
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kens5.comnewscentermaine.comThis lawsuit adds to a broader pattern of legal disputes initiated by Trump, which have included several defamation suits against media organizations and legal actions against banks.The cumulative damages sought in these various cases now reportedly exceed $50 billion.Trump's legal battles reflect a consistent theme of countering perceived injustices, particularly those he attributes to political motivations directed against him during his presidency.
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news.bloombergtax.comindependent.co.ukThe unusual nature of a sitting president suing his own government raises questions about the potential implications and outcomes of this case.With loyal officials in the Justice Department potentially involved in discussions about settlement options, the dynamics of this lawsuit could set a precedent for future interactions between government officials and their legal entitlements.
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news.bloombergtax.comkens5.comAs the lawsuit unfolds, it will likely attract significant public and media attention, further highlighting the ongoing controversies surrounding Trump's tax records and the broader implications of governmental accountability in the handling of sensitive personal information.The case is officially titled Trump v.Internal Revenue Service, 26-cv-20609, and was filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
