Snipes gets 3 years

Wesley Snipes gets 3 years in prison
ASSOCIATED PRESS • April 24, 2008

OCALA, Fla. -- A federal judge has sentenced action star Wesley Snipes to three years in prison on tax charges.

Snipes’ lawyers had spent much of the day in court offering dozens of letters from family members, friends — even fellow actors Woody Harrelson and Denzel Washington — attesting to the good character of the “Blade” star and asking for leniency. They argued he should get only probation because his three convictions were all misdemeanors and the actor had no previous criminal record.

But U.S. District Judge William Terrell Hodges said Snipes exhibited a “history of contempt over a period of time” for U.S. tax laws, and granted prosecutors the three year sentence they requested — one year for each of Snipes’ convictions of willfully failing to file a tax return.


“In my mind these are serious crimes, albeit misdemeanors,” Hodges said.


Snipes apologized while reading from a written statement for his “costly mistakes,” but never mentioned the word taxes.


“I am an idealistic, naive, passionate, truth-seeking, spiritually motivated artist, unschooled in the science of law and finance,” Snipes said.


Snipes said his wealth and celebrity attracted “wolves and jackals like flies are attracted to meat.” He called himself “well-intentioned, but miseducated.”


Snipes was the highest-profile criminal tax target in years, and prosecutors called for a heavy sentence to deter others from trying to obstruct the IRS. The government alleged Snipes made at least $13.8 million for the years in question and owed $2.7 million in back taxes.

Snipes was acquitted in February of five additional charges, including felony tax fraud and conspiracy. Snipes’ co-defendants, Douglas P. Rosile and Eddie Ray Kahn, were convicted on both those counts. Kahn, who refused to defend himself in court, was sentenced to 10 years, while Rosile received 54 months. Both will serve three years of supervised release. Snipes will serve one year of supervised release.

Snipes and Rosile remain free and will be notified when they are to surrender to authorities.

Kahn was the founder of American Rights Litigators, and a successor group, Guiding Light of God Ministries, that purported to help members legally avoid paying taxes. Rosile, a former accountant who lost his licenses in Ohio and Florida, prepared Snipes’ paperwork.

Snipes maintained in a years-long battle with the IRS he did not have to pay taxes, using fringe arguments common to “tax protesters” who say the government has no legal right to collect. After joining Kahn’s group, the government said Snipes instructed his employees to stop paying their own taxes and sought $11 million in 1996 and 1997 taxes he legally paid.

Prosecutors sought to justify the maximum sentence by raising those and other details from the IRS investigation, as well as a tax loss even for years in which Snipes was acquitted of failing to file a return. Such “relevant conduct” is allowed by law for a judge’s consideration at sentencing.

Criminal tax prosecutions are relatively rare — usually the cases are handled in civil court, where the government has a lower burden of proof. Prosecutors said Snipes’ case was important to send a message to would-be tax protesters not to test the government.

Poor Wesley!



There are murderers and rapists that get away with crimes.


Now Taxpapers get to spend 75,000 dolllars to incarcarate Snipes for three years while we release violent criminals back on the streets because of prison overcrowding

If you think that's crazy read this story!

http://www.wtol.com/global/story.asp?s=8224106

I have no idea what goes on in these judges minds when they sentence people.

I will! Later! But I am at work! I am stressed out enough!



I Feel like getting in my car and leaving!


Tired of It!



Can't wait until 5 pm!

I know the feeling!
I had an interview earlier this week and I am that I get it so I can get out of this sinking boat!

I like to get out of this state;


As soon as Ilitch raises season ticket prices beyond my means, I am doing so!

I have two girls and I share custody with their dad.

I am stuck in Ohio until their in college...at least!

On a more positive note; I predict another Tigers Victory!

GO TIGERS!

I read the link;


This whole world is messed up!

We have people in prison that don't belong there; And people roaming the streets that should be!

gotta leave it to the man upstairs sometimes

rickimouse wrote:

I have two girls and I share custody with their dad.

I am stuck in Ohio until their in college...at least!

At least our Ohio income tax is less than Michigan.

And being from Ohio, your kids can go to Eastern Michigan Univ at "In State" tuition rates! Never figured that one out.. Anyone in Ohio can attend EMU as if you lived in MI, but only a few MI counties can come to Toledo to go to college at "In State" rates. One reason I thought of going to EMU for Grad studies...

Interesting!

gs78 wrote:

Poor Wesley!



There are murderers and rapists that get away with crimes.


Now Taxpapers get to spend 75,000 dolllars to incarcarate Snipes for three years while we release violent criminals back on the streets because of prison overcrowding

My sentiments exactly GS. When I saw the headline I thought, "omg, what did he do???" then I read it and was like . I mean, yeah it's a crime, but just have him pay what he owes and hefty penalties and then have him do a lot of community service working with disadvantaged youth teaching acting or something. It's a waste having him in prison.

true...both our money and resources are wasted on this thing.

We waste our money and resources on so much!

the human condition!

Yes!

Snipes should appeal this!