Snipes Sentenced to Three Years

[Canadian Bodybuilding]

Hollywood star Wesley Snipes has been sentenced to serve three years in jail for tax evasion. In February the Blade actor was convicted of failing to file his taxes for five years. The star was acquitted of tax fraud and filing a false claim, as well as three misdemeanor counts of willful failure to file a tax return. But on Thursday in Florida, U.S. District Judge William Terrell Hodges sentenced Snipes to three years imprisonment. Earlier this week, Snipes' famous friends, like actors Woody Harrelson and Denzel Washington, sent letters to the judge as character references. The actor's attorneys argued that Snipes' crimes did not warrant a prison sentence, and that the star should be given probation. Details of when Snipes will have to surrender to prison, and where he will serve his sentence have not been released

[Mr.Freeze]

These guy makes million and they cant pay??:tu

[shithead]

Easy come, easy go.

[macka]

just like a hot carl

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Was given the maximum sentence. I think he was made an example of.

[dainbramaged]

Frankly, I can't see how a man who allegedly owes the government 2.7 million in back taxes and not having filed a return in like 5 (?) years could NOT be going to jail. Even with his celeb buddies vouching for him. Yeah, I can see Joe-average trying that, albeit on a much smaller scale. "Please judge, don't send our buddy to jail. He apologized for his mistake and won't let it happen again!". It's likely a bit too public to be swept under the rug like that, especially if they want to use him as an example for everyone else who considers making the same mistake of not paying. Now if he'd done something else like assault, drunk driving, or any other criminal activity celebs are known for, then he may have gotten off.

[bigben]

Willie Nelson owed millions and didn't go to jail. He's under an arrangement similar to a trustee in bankruptcy. A % of his earnings go towards the debts. I'm thinking the circumstances might be different. Snipes it might be more than owing money, it might be actual tax evasion.

[cedric]

Wesley snipes will make everyone his bitch. He is a vampire hunter

[Xplode]

So does he still have to pay the back taxes or is the jail his restitution?

[AlbertaBeef]

Apparently his lawyer told the judge before the verdict that Snipes would pay the back tax & penalties, something to the tune of 5 million but the judge told the lawyer to pound salt and proceeded with his judgement. So ya, he is definately being made an example of.

[Freebsd1977]

Black ninjas always get the shaft. LOL!

[Gettin'r'round]

There is way more to this than a dude trying to simply skip his taxes. There is a very murky area regarding income taxes in the US of A. I think there is no actual right of the gov't to levy these taxes. of course no judge will ever rule this way, but that doesn't stop those who believe gov't should leave them alone. So this story has got a lot of constitutional/freedom issues, but THAT doesn't get brought up. And they made sure Snipes was made an example of.

[Freebsd1977]

There is way more to this than a dude trying to simply skip his taxes. There is a very murky area regarding income taxes in the US of A. I think there is no actual right of the gov't to levy these taxes. of course no judge will ever rule this way, but that doesn't stop those who believe gov't should leave them alone. So this story has got a lot of constitutional/freedom issues, but THAT doesn't get brought up. And they made sure Snipes was made an example of.

Hmmmm interesting point, do you think Snipes took one of those courses where you're told that the govt is illegally taking taxes from hard-working people? Wonder if he used the "I don't owe you taxes Mr. IRS, I pay my taxes to GOD" line. :mock

[tony_canuck]

yea I think its a combo of 'i don't you owe you nothing' and his big, giant ego combined to make him think he can do anything he wants.

lets see if his training from Blade can help him in cell block 6 (although I think he'll be in club fed more than Oz LOL)