Former IRS Contractor Who Leaked Trump’s Tax Returns Gets 5 Years in Prison

Actions have consequences, and Charles Littlejohn just learned that lesson the hard way.

On Monday, the ex-IRS contractor responsible for leaking Trump’s federal tax returns was sentenced to five years in prison.

The judge that handed down the maximum sentence told Charles Littlejohn to turn himself in by April 30th.

Remember the IRS contractor that leaked Trump’s tax returns to the media?

They just got 5 years in federal prison

Hope the TDS was worth it!

All you did was show that Trump pays his taxes (unlike Hunter Biden)https://t.co/5PD8HcBBkM pic.twitter.com/xNAgBRGu6G

— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) January 29, 2024

In October, Charles Littlejohn pleaded guilty to one count of unauthorized disclosure of tax returns and information in response to criminal charges for leaking Trump’s federal tax returns to The New York Times.

He faced a maximum sentence of five years in prison for his crime.

On Monday, federal District Judge Ana Reyes spanked Littlejohn with that maximum.

Reuters reported Monday:

Charles Littlejohn, 38, pleaded guilty in October to a charge of disclosing income tax return information without authorization.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, who handed down the sentence in Washington, linked Littlejohn’s actions to broader attacks on elected officials in the United States.

“What you did in targeting the sitting president of the United States was an attack on our constitutional democracy,” Reyes told Littlejohn. “It cannot be open season on our elected officials.”

Federal prosecutors had sought a five-year sentence, the maximum allowed under U.S. law, arguing that Littlejohn was motivated by a political agenda and compromised the security of sensitive personal information. Prosecutors said Littlejohn sought a position at a consulting firm that works with the IRS in 2017 in hopes of accessing and disclosing records on Trump, who was president at the time.

Trump supporters were quick to celebrate the sentencing once the news broke.

BREAKING: The man who leaked President Trump’s tax returns while working for the IRS was just sentenced to 5 years in prison.

Have fun!

— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) January 29, 2024

The IRS contractor that leaked Trump’s tax returns to the media just got 5 years in prison. HAHAHA. pic.twitter.com/3JmeXS4Bnw

— Sara Rose 🇺🇸🌹 (@saras76) January 29, 2024

The IRS contractor sentenced to 5 years in prison for stealing Donald Trump's tax returns and leaking it to a news organization.

The war on conservatives by the Biden Administration is REAL.

Trump is just the only one standing in the way! pic.twitter.com/EBqgWnaCs7

— The Trump Train 🚂🇺🇸 (@The_Trump_Train) January 29, 2024

CBS News has more on this breaking story:

Before sentencing Littlejohn on Monday to the maximum penalty, federal District Judge Ana Reyes called his conduct “an attack on our constitutional democracy.”

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“He targeted the sitting president of the United States of America, and that is exceptional by any measure,” Judge Reyes said. “It cannot be open season on our elected officials.”

Littlejohn made a brief statement before the court, acknowledging that “I alone am responsible for this crime.” He said he was driven by a desire for transparency, but was also aware of the potential consequences of his actions.

“I made my decision with full knowledge that I would likely end up in a courtroom to answer for my serious crime,” he said. “I used my skills to systematically violate the privacy of thousands of people.”

Littlejohn’s explanations did not appear to sway the court’s sentencing decision. Reyes said courts must be an “unbreakable bulwark” for American democracy in the face of increased threats.