The IRS world is in shock after a consultant was arrested and charged in connection to the leak of confidential tax returns of wealthy Americans – including those of President Trump.
John Fry, a senior consultant for Equifax Inc., was arrested this month on charges of unauthorized access to a computer system belonging to the Internal Revenue Service. Fry conducted an audit on the returns of wealthy Americans for the IRS, including the returns of President Trump and many other high-profile individuals.
The details of the case remain sketchy at this point. What we know is that Fry was able to gain unauthorized access to the confidential IRS database and then distributed the confidential information to a third-party. The details of the leaked information have not been disclosed but it is believed to include information about the income, tax deductions, and other personal financial information of these individuals.
It is unclear at this time what kind of motive Fry might have had for leaking such sensitive information but it is likely that he was attempting to obtain some form of financial gain from the effort.
The IRS is working with the FBI to investigate the leak and has launched an internal inquiry to determine if there were any other parties involved in the case. Fry has been arraigned and is being held in federal custody pending an upcoming hearing.
This case has caused many to question the security of the IRS and the potential for breaches in the future. It is possible that other confidential information could be targeted in the future and this case serves as a reminder that measures must be taken to ensure that sensitive data is secure.
In the meantime, the IRS is asking anyone who has information about the breach or knowledge of Fry’s actions to come forward and contact the agency. This case is sure to have far reaching implications, both on the financial world and the national security of the United States. It is an important reminder that protecting sensitive information is paramount.