Wesley Snipes wanted over $12m tax fraud

[mawilson 2,133]

The Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes is being sought by federal investigators after

he was charged with allegedly trying to defraud the US government of $12m (£6.4m)

in taxes. If convicted, the film star faces up to 16 years in jail.

Federal prosecutors said yesterday that they did not know the whereabouts of

Mr Snipes, 44, and that he had not been arrested because officials were unable

to locate him. The actor, who starred in the Blade movie series and also heads

his own independent production company, faces a total of eight charges.

"Those who promote or use fraudulent tax schemes are a threat to the financial

integrity of our nation," said Michael Yasofsky, a special agent with the Inland

Revenue Service (IRS).

It is alleged that Mr Snipes, who was born in Florida, claimed refunds in 1996

and 1997 on taxes already paid, and then failed to file returns from 1999 and

2004. According to the indictment, Mr Snipes had his taxes prepared by accountants

with a history of filing false returns designed to collect payments for their clients.

The charges allege that Mr Snipes co-operated with two other men who were

named as defendants - Eddie Ray Kahn and Douglas Rosile, both from Florida -

where Mr Snipes once had a home.

Prosecutors said that Mr Kahn is the founder of American Rights Litigators (ARL)

and its successor, Guiding Light of God Ministries (GLGM), both based in central

Florida. Mr Rosile is an accountant who prepared tax returns for ARL members.

According to previous press reports, Mr Kahn has previously told his clients that

US law does not oblige people to pay taxes, that the IRS is not a legal organisation

and that taxes paid by US citizens are diverted to the International Monetary

Fund (IMF).

The indictment alleges that the three men tried "through dishonest means, to

make it appear as if Mr Snipes had no liability for federal income taxes, when,

in fact, Mr Snipes had such tax liabilities. As part of the scheme, the defendants

allegedly prepared and filed two amended federal income tax returns for Mr Snipes,

fraudulently claiming refunds of 1996 and 1997 income taxes previously paid,

totalling almost $12m."

Paul Perez, US Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, told a press conference

in Tampa that Mr Rosile had surrendered himself to authorities and that Mr Khan

was believed to be out of the country.

The Associated Press reported that there was no immediate word from Mr Snipes

or his agent. Mr Perez said: "Our system of government depends on citizens paying

their fair share of taxes.

"Those who intentionally and unlawfully harass the IRS through deceit, trickery

and fraud undermine the collection of revenue that is vital to every aspect of the

operation of our government, including defence, the war on terror, health care,

law enforcement and education."

The indictment said the ARL claimed to be an organisation that aggressively

defended the rights of American citizens while the GLGM posed as a "Christian

ministry... established to assist men and women in their pursuit of truth and freedom

as Americans". It added: "In reality, ARL and GLGM were for-profit, commercial

enterprises that promoted and sold fraudulent tax schemes."

Mr Perez said he assumed that if Mr Snipes had not previously known the IRS wanted

to speak to him, he soon would. "We've spoken to his former attorneys over the weekend.

We presume that he knows, and of course after this press conference he will definitely

know," he said.

Source

[Reba 2]

I'm confused...is Wesley part of either of those companies? Or was he just duped by them like everyone else? If the latter, why would they be putting him in jail and not all the others who'd been duped?

[Mags 112]

It is alleged that Mr Snipes, who was born in Florida, claimed refunds in 1996

and 1997 on taxes already paid, and then failed to file returns from 1999 and

2004. According to the indictment, Mr Snipes had his taxes prepared by accountants

with a history of filing false returns designed to collect payments for their clients.

^^^ This is what he is charged with. ^^^

The charges allege that Mr Snipes co-operated with two other men who were

named as defendants - Eddie Ray Kahn and Douglas Rosile, both from Florida -

where Mr Snipes once had a home.

The indictment alleges that the three men tried "through dishonest means, to

make it appear as if Mr Snipes had no liability for federal income taxes, when,

in fact, Mr Snipes had such tax liabilities. As part of the scheme, the defendants

allegedly prepared and filed two amended federal income tax returns for Mr Snipes,

fraudulently claiming refunds of 1996 and 1997 income taxes previously paid,

totalling almost $12m."

The other blokes are the ones who helped him file the false claims or rebates...I think...I could be wrong but that's how I understand it.

Edited October 18, 2006 by mags

[Savanphil 3]

Tax fraud has put many people behind bars.... sooo long Wes.

[Mirorgate 0]

Tax fraud has put many people behind bars.... sooo long Wes.

except for our beloved elected leaders. of course.

[Fandango 1,439]

Maybe they'll put him with Richard Hatch

[eric&gen 0]

Happy Halloween Mr Snipes dont forget to pack some vaseline and condoms for big bubba coz your going to be his ####### for the next 16 years of sore azz life.

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

Happy Halloween Mr Snipes dont forget to pack some vaseline and condoms for big bubba coz your going to be his ####### for the next 16 years of sore azz life.

movies and tv shows he's been in that might describe his upcoming prison experience

The Detonator

The Shooter

Critical Condition

"H.E.L.P."

Waiting to Exhale

One Night Stand

Play It to the Bone

Hard Luck

[Mags 112]

So true...

[almaty 19]

Happy Halloween Mr Snipes dont forget to pack some vaseline and condoms for big bubba coz your going to be his ####### for the next 16 years of sore azz life.

movies and tv shows he's been in that might describe his upcoming prison experience

The Detonator

The Shooter

Critical Condition

"H.E.L.P."

Waiting to Exhale

One Night Stand

Play It to the Bone

Hard Luck

good

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

dayum. ####### was this bro thinking of? dayum fool. got greedy was his prob.

Daniel

:energetic:

[sarah and hicham 3]

One night stand hahaha.