OCALA, Fla. - A federal judge has sentenced action star Wesley Snipes to three years in prison on tax charges.
The sentenced was the maximum under the law, which U.S. prosecutors had recommended for the star of the “Blade” movie series. He was found guilty in February of failing to file tax returns for 1999-2001, in which the government said he owed $2.7 million. Prosecutors had requested three years, one year for each of Snipes’ cinvictions of willfully failing to file a tax return.
Snipes’ lawyers offered three dozen letters from family members, friends and even fellow actors Woody Harrelson and Denzel Washington attesting to his good character. They argued he should get only probation, because all three convictions were misdemeanors and the actor had no previous criminal record.
The actor was acquitted on two felony charges of filing false claims and fraud in seeking millions of dollars of refunds in other tax years.
But prosecutors had urged the court to impose a stiff penalty on the actor nonetheless, because of his notoriety and the potential of a high-profile case to deter tax crime nationwide.
Snipes’ lawyers, in calling for leniency, had contended that he was convicted only of three misdemeanors and said the government’s tax loss in his case amounted to less than $400,000.
The actor’s attorneys said the government’s sentencing guidelines aren’t fair for tax convictions like his.
Snipes’ co-defendants, who were convicted on the felony fraud and conspiracy charges, will also be sentenced. Eddie Ray Kahn faces up to 10 years behind bars, while Douglas P. Rosile could be jailed five to six years.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by godkilla
