Wesley Snipes jailed
-----------------------Wesley Snipes was sentenced to three years in prison yesterday (24.04.08). The Hollywood actor - who owed $2.8 million in unreturned tax bills from 1999 to 2001 - was condemned by Judge William Terrell Hodges for exhibiting a "history of contempt over a period of time" for US taxlaws. Snipes, 45, apologised for his "costly mistakes" and blamed his failure to pay on his lack of education. Speaking at the court in Ocala, Florida, Snipes said: "I am an idealistic, naive, passionate, truth-seeking, spiritually motivated artist, unschooled in the science of law and finance. "I am well-intentioned, but miseducated".
During the hearing, Snipes' lawyers offered letters from the star's family members and friends - including Hollywood actors Denzel Washington and Woody Harrelson - speaking about his good character. They had recommended Snipes be given home detention because he had no previous criminal record. Before he had been handed his sentence, Snipes surprised the court by offering the government $5 million for unpaid taxes over several years, which was at first denied before being accepted. Prosecutors called it "grandstanding" to avoid jail time, insisting the sum wouldn't cover the amount of money Snipes owed. Snipes will serve his sentence at a prison near his New Jersey home.
Snipes out on bail
-----------------------Wesley Snipes has been arrested and released on $1 million bail after pleading not guilty to tax fraud. The 'Blade' actor - who stands accused of making false claims for tax refunds amounting to $12 million - did not speak at the hearing in a Florida courtroom on Friday (08.12.06). After the hearing Snipes said: "I look forward to clearing my name and resolving this issue post-haste." A warrant was issued for the 'White Men Can't Jump' actor's arrest two months ago on charges of filing fraudulent tax returns, failing to file income tax returns and conspiring to defraud the IRS. The 44-year-old actor arrived in Florida by private jet from Namibia - where he is filming new movie 'Gallow Walker'. He has been permitted by the judge to return to the African country to finish filming but must be back home in California by January 10 to surrender his US passport.
Snipes is accused of conspiring with two other men, Eddie Ray Kahn and Douglas P. Rosile, to defraud the IRS between 1996 and 1997 and failing to file his own income tax returns between 1999 and 2004, fraudulently claiming tax refunds of almost $12 million. The actor's involvement with Rosile has been questioned previously. In 2002, a lawsuit was brought against Rosile claming he filed false tax refund claims, including a $7.3 million demand for Snipes - though Snipes was not named at the time. Last year, Snipes encountered legal troubles when he tried to enter South Africa with a forged passport. He was allowed to return to the US but was deemed an "undesirable person" by the African country.
Snipes tax fraud
----------------------Wesley Snipes has had a warrant issued for his arrest after he was charged with tax fraud amounting to $12 million last night (17.10.06). A warrant was issued for the 'Blade' actor's arrest on charges of filing fraudulent tax returns, failing to file income tax returns and conspiring to defraud the IRS. Federal prosecutor Paul Perez, speaking from Tampa Florida, where the arrest warrant was issued, said authorities did not know Snipes' whereabouts. Perez said: "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." The 'White Men Can't Jump' actor is accused of conspiring with two other men, Eddie Ray Kahn and Douglas P. Rosile, to defraud the IRS between 1996 and 1997 and failed to file his own income tax returns between 1999 and 2004, fraudulently claiming tax refunds of almost $12 million.
Snipes' involvement with Rosile has been questioned previously. In 2002, a lawsuit was brought against Rosile claming he filed false tax refund claims, including a $7.3 million demand for Snipes - though at the time Snipes was not named. Last year, Snipes encountered legal troubles when he tried to enter South Africa with a forged passport. He was allowed to return to the US but was deemed an "undesirable person" by the African country.