[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.

[Brilliant]

What did the NYT pay? Could be a bribe.

[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:

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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.