Hunter Biden Sues IRS Over Privacy Violations
| Hunter Biden Sues IRS Over Privacy Violations | |
|---|---|
| Short Title | Hunter Biden Sues IRS Over Privacy Violations |
| Location | Washington |
| Date | September 2023 |
| Solove Harm | Surveillance, Breach of Confidentiality, Intrusion |
| Information | Account, Ownership, Credit, Transactional, Contact, Identifying |
| Threat Actors | IRS Investigators |
| Individuals | |
| Affected | Hunter Biden |
| High Risk Groups | People |
| Tangible Harms | Embarrassment |
Hunter Biden has filed a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), alleging that investigators violated his privacy rights by publicly disclosing details about his taxes and the investigation into his conduct. The suit asserts that IRS investigators, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, targeted and sought to embarrass Mr. Biden by disclosing confidential information to Congress and the media. It emphasizes the violation of taxpayer privacy rules and contends that Mr. Biden, like any other American citizen, has rights that should not be violated based on his identity. The lawsuit comes in the wake of the Justice Department's indictment of Hunter Biden on separate gun charges.
Description
Hunter Biden's legal battle against the IRS unfolds as he alleges that the disclosure of sensitive information by investigators breached his privacy rights, encompassing elements of Surveillance, Breach of Confidentiality, and Intrusion. The lawsuit singles out IRS investigators Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, underscoring their public statements and testimony provided to House committees scrutinizing President Biden and his family. This scenario aligns with the Surveillance taxonomy, as investigators delve into personal information, potentially exceeding the limits of privacy protection. The suit contends that the disclosures were not justifiable under whistleblower protections, emphasizing the Breach of Confidentiality, as the information extended beyond legal boundaries and was intended to embarrass Hunter Biden.
The legal action spotlights the complexity surrounding privacy rights in the context of governmental investigations, with Hunter Biden aiming to safeguard his personal information from undue public exposure. The ongoing inquiries and the looming prospect of additional tax charges bring forth the element of Intrusion, as the legal process delves into Hunter Biden's private affairs, highlighting the intricate interplay between legal investigations and individual privacy rights.
Laws and Regulations
Sources
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/18/us/politics/hunter-biden-irs-lawsuit.html