Trump files $10bn lawsuit against IRS over leaked tax returns
President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS), seeking $10 billion in damages. The suit alleges that the IRS and US Treasury Department failed to protect the confidential tax returns of Trump, his sons Eric and Donald Jr., and The Trump Organization. The documents were reportedly leaked by former IRS employee Charles “Chaz” Littlejohn. The lawsuit claims the leak caused reputational and financial harm to the plaintiffs.
What we know
- Donald Trump filed the lawsuit in his personal capacity along with his two eldest sons and The Trump Organization.
- The suit alleges the IRS and US Treasury Department failed to safeguard the plaintiffs’ confidential tax returns.
- The tax documents were leaked to the press by Charles “Chaz” Littlejohn, a former IRS employee from May 2019 through September 2020, according to the lawsuit.
- The lawsuit claims the leak caused reputational and financial harm, public embarrassment, and negatively affected the plaintiffs’ public standing.
- Littlejohn pleaded guilty in 2023 to releasing Trump’s tax returns and is currently serving a five-year sentence.
