Federal Judge Ana C. Reyes sentenced ex-IRS contractor Charles Littlejohn to 5 years in prison earlier today. Reyes said Littlejohn “targeted the sitting president of the United States of America, and that is exceptional by any measure,” and described his actions as “an attack on our constitutional democracy.”
In July and August 2020 Littlejohn stole tax return information while working as a IRS contractor, and leaked the documents to the New York Times. Littlejohn was charged with one count of unauthorized disclosure of tax returns and return information and entered a guilty plea in October 2023.
Reyes stated during the hearing today, “The fact that he did what he did and he is facing one felony count, I have no words for,” before sentencing Littlejohn to the maximum sentence, despite the defense attorney for Littlejohn requesting a sentence of 12 to 18 months.
“This sentence should serve as a warning to anyone who is considering emulating Mr. Littlejohn’s actions,” said Acting Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Heather M. Hill in a press release by the Department of Justice.
