Putting anyone in jail for tax evasion, felony or not, for life IS criminal.
I agree. He did flaunt the laws, and for a period of time. His claims of stateless person and non-resident alien didn’t help any IMO. How can you be that rich, and refuse to pay taxes? I agree that the government is a money grubbing entity, but you can’t just flip the bird in it’s directon and expect to be left alone.
Snipes’ celebrity didn’t help. I do think this is somewhat of an example. But then he had enough money to get better tax advise than just about anyone else.