Journalists Refuse To Share Panama Papers With Justice Department, Have No Interest Cooperating With Government

The journalists responsible for the massive tax documents leaked coined as Panama Papers reportedly do not want to share their findings with the Justice Department. They reportedly have no interest working with the government.

In a report by Reuters, the criminal probe by the U.S. Department of Justice into the offshore companies will not be supported by the journalists. Accordingly, Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney for Manhattan, wrote to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), seeking for additional information from the group aside from those available on the internet.

Bharara added that his office would "greatly appreciate to opportunity to speak as soon as possible with any ICIJ employee or representative involved in the Panama Papers project in order to discuss this matter further."

However, the group told the prosecutors in Bharara's office that it will not release the unpublished data they have to them. Gerard Ryle, the director of the consortium, said in a press release via the group's website that ICIJ as well as their parent organization, Center for Public Integrity, are shielded by the First Amendment and other legal protections. This means that they are protected from becoming "an arm of law enforcement."

The 11.5 million leaked files from Panamanian firm, Mossack Fonseca, still have other documents that were not publicly released, Business Insider reported. These documents have revealed how prominent individuals such as soccer superstar Lionel Messi, aides close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, relatives of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and many more are able to hide their assets via offshore dealings in an attempt to avoid taxes.

Officials began a preliminary review of the leaked documents earlier this month, UPI reported.

Other big names linked to the Panama Papers are Icelandic Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson and  acting industry minister of Spain, Jose Manalo Soria.  Both have resigned after they were linked to the leaked tax documents. British Prime Minister David Cameron was also mentioned but denied the claims. 

Tags

journalists, tax leak, Documents, Mossack Fonseca, Panama Papers, Preet Bharara, U.S. Attorney for Manhattan, International Consortium of Investigative Journalists

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