Anti-tax author claims mental illness

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Anti-tax crusader Irwin Schiff is mentally ill and his time in federal prison for tax fraud and other convictions should be reduced, according to documents filed by his lawyers.

Court documents claim Schiff, 77, suffers from suicidal depression, bipolar mental disorder, paranoia and delusions that made him believe paying taxes was voluntary.

"In short, Mr. Schiff's behavior is not rational," said Cynthia Barry, a San Jose, Calif., psychologist who interviewed Schiff in 2004.

Barry's account, along with reports from an Idaho psychologist and a Las Vegas psychiatrist, were contained in documents Schiff's lawyers submitted to Judge Kent Dawson. Dawson is due to sentence Schiff on Feb. 24.

During his five-week trial, they portrayed Schiff as con man who scammed people into believing they could dodge their tax liability. They said the scheme was responsible for nearly 5,000 tax returns that fraudulently reported no income and cost the government about $56 million from 1999 to 2001.

Schiff faces up to 43 years in prison and up to $3.25 million in fines, plus unspecified sanctions for outbursts during the trial.

Co-defendant Cynthia Neun, 52, was found guilty of 15 of 16 charges, including conspiracy, tax evasion, aiding in the filing of fraudulent tax returns, Social Security disability fraud and theft of government property. She faces up to 50 years in prison and $3.3 million in fines.

Court documents claim Schiff, 77, suffers from suicidal depression, bipolar mental disorder, paranoia and delusions that made him believe paying taxes was voluntary

What? They're not? Since when?

2 posted on 02/15/2006 8:56:02 PM PST by neodad (Why does every cartoon article refer to the "Prophet" Muhammed?)

Taxes should be voluntary and itemized. It sure would keep government small and we'd get more entertainment on PBS watching Health and Human Services folks beg for more money for the poor. The guy is not insane, he just has high ideals.

3 posted on 02/15/2006 8:56:09 PM PST by Ma3lst0rm (Intellectual honesty is the scrub brush of the soul.)

I believe he's mentally ill, anyone who thinks he doesn't have to pay his taxes has got to be.

4 posted on 02/15/2006 8:58:40 PM PST by jazusamo (A Progressive is only a Socialist in a transparent disguise.)

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