Wesley Snipes Busted For Tax Evasion - Page 3
Prosecutors argued that Mr. Snipes showed criminal intent when he sent the government three bogus checks to pay $14 million in taxes and an amended tax return that was subtly altered with software to state that he filed under “no†penalty of perjury.
Defense lawyers said Mr. Snipes did not file tax returns after his indictment because the I.R.S., by making him the target of a criminal investigation, “forced†him to exercise his right to remain silent.
After his indictment, however, Mr. Snipes sent the government a series of rambling letters describing his tax theories and warning that “pursuit of such a high-profile target will open the door to your increased collateral risk.†[...]
In one 600-page document, Mr. Snipes said he was legally a “nontaxpayer†and the tax laws did not apply to him because he was not a resident of the District of Columbia, was not a federal official and was not engaged in any trade or business, all common tax denier arguments.
Mr. Snipes also complained that the I.R.S. violated his 14th Amendment rights to equal protection because it would not help him establish what he said was his rightful status as a legal nontaxpayer. [...]
Mr. Snipes joined the tax denier movement after becoming upset when told that his 1999 income tax would be more than $2 million, Carmen Baker, his former assistant, testified.
So while I believe three years is a bit much, at the same time I have to say that he should get some time in jail. After all, I don't like paying taxes either, but I have to do it, just like millions of other Americans have to do it. We recognize that whether we agree with it or not, it is the law, and if we attempt to ignore or break that law then we will be punished.
Therefore, if you haven't already filed your taxes...
Follow Technorati