Treasury axes contracts with Booz Allen over Donald Trump tax leaks

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Treasury Department has terminated multiple contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton due to a significant data breach involving the unauthorized disclosure of tax returns of high-profile individuals, including President Donald Trump, by a former employee [1][3]. Group 1: Contract Termination and Financial Impact - The Treasury has canceled 31 contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton, which are valued at $4.8 million annually and have a total obligation of $21 million [3]. - Following the announcement, Booz Allen's stock fell more than 10%, closing down 8.11% at $108.29 [4]. Group 2: Data Breach Details - The breach was executed by former contractor Charles Edward Littlejohn, who leaked tax records between 2018 and 2020, affecting approximately 406,000 taxpayers [3][4]. - Littlejohn pleaded guilty to unauthorized disclosure of tax return information and was sentenced to five years in federal prison [4]. Group 3: Company Response and Reputation - Booz Allen has distanced itself from Littlejohn's actions, stating that the breach occurred on government systems and not its own [5][8]. - The company emphasized its commitment to ethical standards and stated it has zero tolerance for legal violations [8]. - Despite the recent scandal, Booz Allen maintains significant contracts with the Department of Defense, including a five-year, $1.58 billion agreement for intelligence analysis [9][12]. Group 4: Historical Context - Booz Allen has faced criticism for past security incidents, notably the 2013 leak by Edward Snowden, who disclosed confidential government documents while employed by the firm [10].