BERLIN (AP) — A German newspaper that obtained leaked files from a Panamanian law firm detailing offshore financial dealings published Friday what it said is a manifesto from its anonymous source, who described having been moved to act by “the scale of the injustices” the documents show.
The daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung was offered the leaked data over a year ago through an encrypted channel by the source, and started publishing material last month along with other outlets it shared the information with. It said it has now received a manifestofrom its source, the self-described “John Doe,” though it didn’t specify how and when. It couldn’t immediately be reached for further details.
The repercussions of the leaked documents from law firm Mossack Fonseca have been far-ranging. The uproar led to the resignation of the prime minister of Iceland, and brought scrutiny to, among others, the leaders of Argentina and Ukraine, Chinese politicians, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his friends.
The piece published Friday says the papers “show beyond a shadow of a doubt that although shell companies are not illegal by definition, they are used to carry out a wide array of serious crimes that go beyond evading taxes.”
Its author writes: “I decided to expose Mossack Fonseca because I thought its founders, employees and clients should have to answer for their roles in these crimes, only some of which have come to light thus far.”
The manifesto says “a new global debate has started, which is encouraging.”
It doesn’t shed light on how the source obtained the documents.
Its author says: “For the record, I do not work for any government or intelligence agency, directly or as a contractor, and I never have,” and adds that the reason for sharing the documents was “not … any specific political purpose, but simply because I understood enough about their contents to realize the scale of the injustices they described.”
The author “would be willing to cooperate with law enforcement to the extent that I am able.”
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Seeing how Snowden has to look both ways before crossing the street, how is this guy still among the living?
For exactly the reasons he outlines. He doesn’t work for them, or the government. It seems he was able to conceal his penetration, even to this day.
Bravo!
I somewhat accept that, but here’s the rub: whether the funds are legal or illegal, he or she messed with someone’s money by revealing to the world what was going on at Mossack-Fonseca (refrains from using their initials) to the press.
Nobody can really stay hidden on the internet. Now Mossack had really crummy net/file security, but there is something out in that file system that suggests who did what on what day.
I have no problem thanking him, because he proved without a doubt that 'the rich aren’t like you or me." However I’d have tried to stayed hidden, because its usually when whistle blowers partially reveal themselves that the drama often starts.