Consumerist
Gather round, tax kooks, and listen to the tale of Wesley Snipes. He's the guy who didn't pay his taxes while raking in millions, and then tried to collect $7.4 million in tax refunds. Now he's going to jail for three years thanks to a federal District Judge who doesn't care much for tax protesters and their zany theories.
His celebrity could raise attention about tax defiance and deter protesters, said Assistant Atty. Gen. Nathan J. Hochman of the Justice Department's tax division.The cunning greed-monger defended his morally bankrupt plot to defraud taxpayers, saying: "I am an idealistic, naive, passionate, truth-seeking, spiritually motivated artist, unschooled in the science of law and finance.""The three-year sentence Mr. Snipes received today sends a loud and crystal-clear message to the tax defier community that if they engage in this illegal conduct, they can and will go to jail," Hochman said.
Despite Snipes' claims that he was taken advantage of, Hochman said the actor was a "disciple" of the tax defiance movement who understood that his actions were illegal.
"It's more than just an accident. It occurred on numerous occasions over many different years," Hochman said. "This wasn't an innocent victim of 'jackals.' This is someone who willfully and knowingly participated."
Before his sentencing, Snipes told the judge that his wealth and celebrity attracted "wolves and jackals like flies are attracted to meat," and he called himself "well-intentioned but miseducated."
Snipes was convicted on three misdemeanor counts of failing to file tax returns for 1999-2001. His former "tax advisers," Douglas Rosile and Eddie Ray Kahn were respectively sentenced to 54 months and 10 years in jail.
The decision is a tragic setback for Tax Dog, and a reminder to always pay your taxes.
Wesley Snipes sentenced to 3 years in prison [L.A. Times]
(AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)
Comments
what an idiot. what a buffoon. what a gull a bull.
seriously protesting by not paying taxes? why don't you just leave the damn country if you don't like it.
oh wait i looks like he tried that in canada, and they don't want his ass either.
Does anyone really believe that this millionaire celebrity is going to spend 3 years in prison?
@cac67: no it will probably be more like 10 months in a country club.
@snoop-blog: inotrite!?! I hate people who are all like "WAAAAAA, I have a problem with our government, and $action's soooo unjust. I'm going to protest!". It's like they think they're in America, or something!@#!
Oh.... damn :(
@snoop-blog: At least he'll have a criminal record. And I believe he's required to pay back all the money, so at least you and I (the taxpayers that have to make up the difference when others don't pay) don't have to cover his share while he "protests".
What a dumbass
For using "artist" and "creative" in a sentence referencing himself, Snipes should get life.
"The cunning greed-monger defended his morally bankrupt plot to defraud taxpayers" - wow - slanted much?
I think Mr Snipes did something wrong, and in so doing is being justifyably punished. But he wasnt defrauding taxpayers - he was defrauding the government. And how cunning could he be? He got caught ! LOL
Even though he reached his Boiling Point and tried to cut through the tax system like a fine Blade, I guess Liberty Stands Still, and this Passenger 57 's Money Train was only a One Night Stand after all.
Ohh, and To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar.
@unravel: There are smarter ways to protest that won't end up getting your ass thrown in slammer for three years. He is a complete asshat.
If he doesn't believe in paying taxes he sure as hell doesn't want to be moving to Canada.
@cac67:
Nope. Federal crime. No such thing as parole in the federal pen. Only time off for good behavior. He has to do 85% of the sentence. About 930 days in jail, give or take a few days.
No country club for federal offenders anymore.
@wdnobile: "A government of the people, by the people, for the people..."
IMHO, WE are the government, therefore he defruaded all of us.
@cac67: Before we all get onto the indignation train would it be possible to compare how he is going to be treated with the actual way non-celebrities are treated?
When the Hilton flap occurred a lot of people started spewing nonsense that had little to do with how the system works.
In this case, from what I've been able to gather, I predict that he won't do the full 3 year term. Why? Because people who commit financial crimes are often released early. That's not unusual.
If something shady happens (like in the Hilton case), I'll be among those who denounce it but until that happens, I'll chill and let the judges do their thing.
I don't think he should be sent to prison. In fact, I don't think any white collar criminals should be. They ought to nail him with a few million dollars in fines and probation. Snipes is not a danger to society.
We have a ridiculous number of people in prison in this country and it's out of control. Low level offenders are learning to be even worse criminals in prison. The most dangerous prisoners prey upon the least violent. Our criminal justice system is broken. We should be rehabilitating as many people as we can and ridding ourselves of the ones we can't.
Why does the US have the highest per capita imprisonment rate in the world?
@attackgypsy: Thanks for that informative comment. "Good behavior" is precisely what I had in mind when I said "released early". I did not know there was a 85% limit though.
Hilton didn't go to federal prison.
@ClayS: Drug laws.
Well, well, well. An intersting topic that requires a fair amount of research to begin to unravel. But here's the short of it ... their money, their rules.
Taxation doesn't pay for anything other than the vig on money Congress borrows. The Grace Commission proved that once and for all.
As a citizen of the United States of America, you granted yourself the right to print your own currency without cost of interest. That currency is described in the Constitution and the Coinage Act and other Treasury legislation. That is your currency.
But we don't use that currency. We use currency provided by the Federal Reserve bank system. The Fed is no more federal than Fedeal Reserve.
"Examining the organization and function of the Federal Reserve Banks and applying the relevant factors, we conclude that the Federal Reserve Banks are not Federal instrumentalities...but are independent and privately owned and controlled corporations...Federal Reserve Banks are listed neither as 'wholly owned' government corporations [under 31 U.S.C. Section 846] nor as 'mixed ownership' corporations [under 31 U.S.C. Section 856]...It is evident from the legislative history of the Federal Reserve Act that Congress did not intend to give the Federal government direction over the daily operation of the Reserve Banks...The fact that the Federal Reserve Board regulates the Reserve Banks does not make them Federal agencies under the Act...Unlike typical Federal agencies, each bank is empowered to hire and fire employees at will. Bank employees do not participate in the Civil Service Retirement System. They are covered by worker's compensation insurance, purchased by the Bank, rather than the Federal Employees Compensation Act. Employees traveling on Bank business are not subject to Federal travel regulations and do not receive government employee discounts on lodging and services..."
- Lewis vs. U.S., case #80-5905, 9th Circuit, June 24, 1982
In order to freely circulate a private scrip replacing the legitimate currency of the Unitred States, those who own and control the Fed required a method of inviolate repayment of the interest owed on this borrowed money to make their enterprise completey risk free. That's why Title 26 of the US Code exists and the agency that operates accordingly is the Internal Revenue Service. They collect the vig. The interest paid on borrowed money is what your taxes pay for. Consider that ... you're borrowing money and paying the interest for borrowing a private scrip through your Witholding and Income taxes when you already possess the Constitutional right to print your own currency without cost of interest.
This is the essential crux. It is "their" money" To use it you must abide by "their" rules. Use your own currency and their rules do not apply. But I dare you you to (a) find any legitimate, Constitutional currency you can use, because no part of the banking system will circulate it. And (b) I dare you to try and abrogate the system welded into our financial, mercantile and economic base.
Wesley made the claasic error of believing BS. I admire the effort, but it was as an ant stalking a rhino.
"Permit me to issue and control the money of a nation and I care not who makes the laws." Mayer Amschel Rothschild, founder of the Rothschild international banking dynasty, 1790
Turns out, money does talk and BS does in fact have to take the perp walk.
Their money, their rules. It's that simple.
Now, if you'df like to rid yourself of the onerous and frankly anti-American practice of taxation - a founding principle, remember - we have to dislodge the central banking system that grew out of the charred remains of the Civil War, empowered during a fake economic crisis, and then cemented into place by the Bretton Woods Accords.
Good luck. Until then, you kid yourself about being free.
@consumersaur: Who said she did?
@snoop-blog: he is an absolute idiot.
i had a professor tell me i shouldn't pay taxes in protest of the war.
this is also the same professor who encouraged our class to fast on thanksgiving day.
@ClayS: fines are nothing but a slap. he needs a real punishment. do i think he needs to be in prison with murderers and child rapists? no. but i do think he needs to have his privileges taken away.
and don't forget, he ran away. he fled out of hte country to avoid the law. if this was a man who was simply good-intended and naive, he would have owned up to it.
@BlackFlag55:
Now, if you'df like to rid yourself of the onerous and frankly anti-American practice of taxation - a founding principle, remember -
I thought that the cry during the Revolutionary War was,"no taxation without representation," NOT "no taxation." Two very different things.
well god dang it, there goes Blade 4 out the window.
@Bladefist: ahh yes, the world must now suffer because there will be no blade 4. damn wesley.
i'm all for protesting, but i agree with black flag that not paying taxes is thee most anti-american thing you can do.
and as far as people saying they should just fine him, instead of jailing him, uhm, how do you get money from someone who is already not paying you.... you put them in jail that's how. otherwise, he'd just keep his money hidden (like he only had 9 g's in his bank yeah, right).
@whatdoyoucare: I agree that he's an asshat, and yea, there are better ways to protest but the whole "if you think the country sucks, leave!" thing never fails to get my nipples in a knot :o
@unravel: no if the country sucks, protest, but if you don't pay taxes leave with all the rest of the illegals.
@snoop-blog: *don't want to pay taxes, than leave.
@snoop-blog:i agree. i think he's still attempting to outsmart the system. i can see him hiding cash in various places. and i think that he wouldn't learn his lesson should he simply be fined. perhaps he should be forced to do Disney movies.
"Further, Snipes has been a ceaseless nuisance to several tax-collecting entities - not just the IRS, but the states of California and Florida and country of Canada, according to the sentencing motion. And investigators are still convinced he's hiding money - Snipes reported having only $8,824 in a checking account and $500 cash, the memo alleges, despite disclosed assets in excess of $25 million." -ASSOCIATED PRESS
so if the war was his excuse here, i wonder what he was protesting in canada
@BlackFlag55: That's what she said!
aww mannnnn! NOW who is going to play the Drizzt Do'Urden character in the D&D film? (it was rumored that he would be the one)
Actually, I hope he doesnt do it. I am a firm believer that dark elves should not be portrayed by black people. Not racist or anything,IMO they just dont look like elves in any way . But I agree that his swordfighting & acrobatic moves he had in the Blade series of films would fit the drizzt charactor very well (but he doesnt have elven facial features).
Tax Cat disapproves of tax cheaters. Do not want!
@whatdoyoucare:
Thats more than a little weak given the reference. He tried to get out of paying his taxes not scam you and me.
We can haz three years in prison?
(BTW, where did this Tax Cat "can haz" stuff originate?)
"Hey! Look everyone! This is what we'll do to you if you defy our rule!"
What a despicable, fear-mongering parade of greed and brutality thinly veiled in sham-patriotism. THAT, my friends, IS the american way.
The timing couldn't be more politically convenient, eh?
i kinda thought this guy was more sensible than a lotta of those jerks.....oh well
@modenastradale:
[en.wikipedia.org]
@pigeonpenelope:
Call the IRS and turn in your prof. The IRS pays the tipster a percentage of the taxes recovered ;)
@BlackFlag55: Nice post! and to @whatdoyoucare: Regarding the Revolution cry...Americans weren't paying INCOME taxes to the U.S. government until well after. Read some books asshat! LOL thats my new favorite word by the way thank you!
@whatdoyoucare: Defrauded.
@VikingP77: Cops and firemen don't work for free.
@Rusted: No they don't...did I say they didn't? Asshat!
Always bet on black:
@VikingP77: Okay. So you congratulate BlackFlag and then you immediately proceed to undermine his "taxation is un-American" statement.
Given your "read some books asshat" comment, I probably have to explain this to you in simple terms:
(1) BlackFlag said anti-taxation was a founding principle (i.e., he tied it to the Revolution);
(2) Whatdoyoucare clarified (correctly) that taxation, in and of itself, was not the evil in the context of the Revolution, but rather it was taxation without representation
(3) You chime in to say that the Revolution had nothing to do with income tax, THEREFORE,
(4) According to your comment, BlackFlag's reference to the Revolution is irrelevant to this post, which is about the income tax.
Dipshit.