Judge sentences Snipes to 3 years for tax convictions

msnbc ^ | 4/24/08

[XR7]

OCALA, Fla. -- Wesley Snipes was sentenced to three years in prison on tax charges Thursday, a victory for prosecutors who sought to make an example of the action star by aggressively pursuing the maximum penalty.

[XR7]

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.

What happened to those guys who convinced Snipes of that and probably did his tax returns for him - and not for free, I am sure?

[Libloather]

Blood suckers.

[Cementjungle]

What happened to those guys who convinced Snipes of that and probably did his tax returns for him - and not for free, I am sure?

I'm sure he knew the risks he was taking in not paying taxes. Hollywood bigshots shouldn't be exempt from the laws.

[TheZMan]

Regardless I bet he doesn’t serve more than a couple days.

[Prole]

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

Hey, I am a white male who is "unschooled in the science of law and finance (whatever that means)," plus I am also "passionate about seeking the truth." Does this mean I no longer have to answer to the IRS each year?

Unless he is sent to a Federal Pen, I believe Vegas odds are that he actually serves less than a year of that so-called "sentence."

[Magnolia]

Are you a white European male? If so, the answer to your question is an unequivocal you betcha!

[FoxInSocks]

U.S. District Judge William Terrell Hodges said Snipes exhibited a "history of contempt over a period of time" for U.S. tax laws

I exhibit contempt for the tax laws every day of the year.

[OeOeO]

Good lord,just take the pound of flesh he owes and not an ounce more. How do these tax collectors for the welfare state get away with this crap?

[Calpernia]

Sniper NO Sniping!

[Frank_2001]

Your papers please, comrade;)

[ikka]

I thought that a few months ago he successfully got a not guilty verdict in this case?

[bigbob]

Hasn’t this judge hear, he’s a Hollywood Celebrity!

[edcoil]

five of the 8 not guilty. 3 not filing the 1040, got one year each. Should do at same time, our in 6 months. Owed 30 paid 5 million.

All and all a pretty good day for him. He can practice his script and be ready for the next movie.

[1rudeboy]

What happened to those guys who convinced Snipes of that and probably did his tax returns for him - and not for free, I am sure?

Heck, I'm wondering what happened to those FReepers who claimed he would get off because he's famous?

[durasell]

The point of his statement was that his worldly sophistication in matters of law and finance is not equal to his earnings. This is generally the case with actors, artists, etc.

[txzman]

It wasn’t the non-filing that got him the jail sentence. It was the manner in which he thumbed his nose at the IRS before and after that did it.

Many, many common folks have to do nothing more than pay the money when they fail to file.

[1rudeboy]

Not familiar with Federal Court, I take it?

[1rudeboy]

Unless he is sent to a Federal Pen, I believe Vegas odds are that he actually serves less than a year of that so-called "sentence."

How much you want to bet? I love the odds.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Lol! Woody Harrelson as a character witness?! Lol!

[MovementConservative]

So he gets to do time in a minimum security prison. big deal. He’ll be paroled in 16 months. At least he is going to jail though. Probably the same place Pete Rose went.