The Times published parts of state tax returns only, from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The federal law Mr. Kasowitz cited does not appear to apply to state returns. In any event, the federal law is a criminal one that does not appear to authorize private civil suits. As with the tax returns, the recording’s source was unknown. The people whose call was recorded sued under a federal law that banned such disclosures.

Source: New York Times October 05, 2016 00:07 UTC