Agents Feared Leak of Trump's Taxes Could Affect Election

A PI has been charged after allegedly trying to get president's tax returns
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted May 24, 2017 8:05 PM CDT
PI Charged After Allegedly Trying to Get Trump's Taxes
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel at the Royal Palace, Wednesday, May 24, 2017, in Brussels.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Court documents show federal agents were worried last October that a Louisiana private investigator had illegally obtained Donald Trump's tax returns and may leak them. The agents say in court documents obtained by the AP on Wednesday that the public release of the returns could have influenced the presidential election.

Authorities now say it turns out that the PI, Jordan Hamlett, wasn't able to get the tax returns. He has been charged with misrepresenting his Social Security number, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Hamlett has pleaded not guilty. Authorities have not said what Hamlett's motive for getting the federal tax returns were, and they wondered in the documents whether he was working with anyone or planned to sell them or release them. (More Trump tax return stories.)

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