Congressman Asks DOJ to Investigate Leak of Trump’s Taxes to New York Times

Breitbart ^ | September 29 2020 | ROBERT KRAYCHIK

[knighthawk]

In a letter obtained by Breitbart News, Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) asked the Department of Justice to investigate possible crimes committed via the alleged disclosure of President Donald Trump’s tax returns to the New York Times.

The New York Times published details of what it alleged were Trump’s tax returns on Sunday. It alleged that the president’s tax returns revealed “chronic losses and years of tax avoidance.”

In a letter to Attorney General William Barr, Zeldin wrote:

[Grampa Dave]

On September 27, 2020, the New York Times published a story about the tax returns of President Donald Trump.

This article included what appears to be confidential information regarding President Trump’s tax returns.

I write to ask that the Department of Justice investigate whether any information about President Trump’s tax returns were illegally released to the New York Times and whether any action needs to be taken by the Department of Justice regarding this issue.

The New York Times has said it will be publishing additional information that goes into greater depth on the President’s tax returns. It is imperative to determine as soon as possible whether federal crimes were committed in the transmission of any confidential information.

Respectfully,
Lee M. Zeldin
Member of Congress

[SaveFerris]

[Congressman Asks DOJ to Investigate Leak of Trump’s Taxes to New York Times]

A serious crime, indeed.

[gibsonguy]

The DOJ worthless. How about Biden running ads based the illegally obtained info the same day the NYT ran the story.

[Brilliant]

What did the NYT pay? Could be a bribe.

[SaveFerris]

I worked for the IRS a long time ago.

This is one of the first things they warned you about. Do NOT release anyone’s tax information to the public.

The joke portrayed on the screen was some guy with a book titled “Tax Secrets of the Stars”.

[mfish13]

Were they tax returns? Or, tax filings?

[Grampa Dave]

Don’t know!

[central_va]

TIGDA used to be a serious organization at one time. Mnuchin should be going bizzerk, so why ins't he?

[central_va]

IRS.GOV UNAX:

---

Part 10. Security, Privacy and Assurance

Chapter 5. Privacy and Information Protection

Section 5. IRS Unauthorized Access, Attempted Access or Inspection of Taxpayer Records (UNAX) Program Policy,

Guidance, and Requirements

10.5.5 IRS Unauthorized Access, Attempted Access or Inspection of Taxpayer Records (UNAX) Program Policy, Guidance, and Requirements

10.5.5.2 (07-10-2018) IRS Unauthorized Access, Attempted Access or Inspection of Taxpayer Records (UNAX) Program To implement the requirements of the Taxpayer Browsing Protection Act (Public Law No. 105-35), the IRS created the willful unauthorized access, attempted access or inspection of taxpayer records (UNAX) program. The Taxpayer Browsing Protection Act, in conjunction with the UNAX program, provides the following:

• Willful unauthorized access or inspection of taxpayer records is a crime, punishable upon conviction, by fines, imprisonment, and termination of employment. Taxpayer records include hard copies of returns and return information, as well as returns and return information maintained on a computer;
• When IRS employees are criminally charged, the IRS is required to notify taxpayers that their records have been accessed without authorization;
• A taxpayer who is a victim of unlawful access or inspection has the right to take legal action even if the taxpayer's information is never revealed to a third party;
• For contractors, the willful unauthorized access or inspection of taxpayer records can result in removal from the contract. Furthermore, upon conviction, it can result in fines, and imprisonment.
• Criminal UNAX violations result from intentional unauthorized inspection of returns and return information. Under 26 USC 7213A, the violation is punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or imprisonment of not more than 1 year, or both, together with the costs of prosecution. Upon conviction, the employee is terminated; UNAX violations may also result in penalties for misuse of a government computer;
• Non-Criminal Penalties – pursuant to IRS UNAX policy, removal is to be proposed for all UNAX violations. The penalty can be mitigated by the deciding official at the decision stage;
• Using information gained from a UNAX violation can lead to additional criminal charges such as falsification of records, fraud, embezzlement and identity theft; and
• This willful unauthorized disclosure of tax return or return information is a felony.

[Toughluck_freeper]

If the New York times offered or paid money for the Trump returns, then they are an accessory (and should not be shielded by free press laws).

I would like to see the NYT editor arrested because of this.

[Grampa Dave]

“I would like to see the NYT editor arrested because of this.”

You are not by yourself.

[Grampa Dave]

Excellent point!:

If the New York times offered or paid money for the Trump returns, then they are an accessory (and should not be shielded by free press laws).

I would like to see the NYT editor arrested because of this.