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By ANTHONY McCARTNEY
The Tampa Tribune
TAMPA - Wesley Snipes and two others were charged with income tax evasion charges this morning - charges that could land the action star in prison.
Snipes is charged with six counts of failing to file income tax returns between 1999 and 2005.
Snipes is also accused of claiming refunds in 1996 and 1997 that totaled nearly $12 million. An arrest warrant has been issued for Snipes.
The suit also names two others, including Douglas Rosile, a certified public accountant from Venice, with organizing the scheme to defraud the IRS. Rosile continued to practice after his CPA license was revoked in Florida and Ohio.
More:
> Read Indictment
> Snipes At Wikipedia
> Snipes At IMDB
According to a news release, Snipes could face a year in federal prison for each year he failed to file income taxes and five years for each conspiracy and false claims charge.
Snipes is charged with a total of 8 counts.
The men filed the returns under the auspices of the ‘861 argument,’ which purports that US citizens only have to pay taxes on income from foreign-based activities, according to a news release.
U.S. Attorney Paul Perez said Rosile turned himself in and will face a magistrate in Ocala this afternoon. An arrest warrant has been issued for Snipes, he said.
Snipes is the well-known star who has portrayed a vampire hunter in the “Blade†movie trilogy and other action films, such as the “The Art of War†and “Passenger 57.â€
He has also portrayed characters who have run afoul of the law, including a murder on the run from federal agents in “U.S. Marshals†and a New York gang leader in “New Jack City.â€
According to the indictment, Snipes and Rosile signed income tax returns asking for more than $7 million in refunds for his 1996 and 1997 filings. Snipes is accused of sending the IRS false “bills of exchange†– documents that are meant to look like checks, but carry no monetary value, Perez said.
Stay with TBO.com for developments.
To Vince Davis,
Did you feel this strongly about Red Foxx who lost everything due to non filing of taxes? We all must pay taxes no matter your color, income or sex. Why has he not done this for six years? He thought he was above taxes!We will se some rich excuse that his lawyers will spin up. I am sorry your “african american” information is so twisted you yourself are mis-informed but the truth is the truth even if favors a certin race per Al Sharptin. I am glad you think Mr. Snipes is “Cool” what a role model. Have a great life when you grow up.
He Russell White America already have there own channels, it’s everything except BET. Please post another comment and show your ignorance.
Why turn this in to a racial issue? We all have in some way tryed to avoid paying taxes white or black! Stick to the topic and stop trying to turn this!
Leave it to some of you to call this a racial issue. I bet those of you who are doing this are black. This is a simple case of a man, black/white/purple/green, who cares, who didn’t pay his taxes. Where in the world do you find something racial in this? And Peggy, forgive me for not remembering the KENNEDY DEFENSE,now a legal precedent.. Blame alcoholism, check yourself into rehab and then hire a high priced lawyer.
Hey Russell Martinez, of course we have BET & NAACP. We had to get those to help equal treatment for African Americans. Otherwise, who was going to do it? Certainly not people who think like you! And you don’t need a WET because you already give yourselves (White Americans) equal treatment. Wow what a mis-informed individual you are. Wesley is cool and I’m sure he’ll beat these charges and come out on top like he already is.
Look at the bright side of this he can turn bad turn in life and make this into a movie and make a bundle.
He could call it Vampirs vers the irs.
Hey Jon Smith lay off Duane at least he can spell racist if he is one. I agree with Duane blacks will throw the race card very quickly. They have the “NAACP” do you see that for white people. The TV channel “BET” Black entertainment Telivision you don’t see a “WET channel. Mr. Snipes tried to beat the system and got caught. No body cared about that country singer Willie Nelson who did the same thing.He should pay the highest fine allowed.
Russell
If the federal government would stop waisting money, perhaps more people would not mind paying taxes. But to give millions in ‘aid’ to countries that hate us, among other things, who wants to pay taxes.
Hey Duane,
you comments ARE raceist, immature, and show your lack of intellagence.
And SHAME ON YOU!!!
Just a question… do you get any kind of assistance for the double wide you live in???
Not very nice, is it Duane???
Wesley could always check himself into rehab and claim that alcohol or drugs made him do it.
Damn Duane from Sarasota, why not just say I hate black people with money and that’s good for him. Don’t beat around the bush with your racism let us know how you really feel.
And what is wrong with being a librarian or social worker?
And what is wrong with being a librarian or social worker?
I am sure he has people that are supposed to handle his finances and they unfortunately screwed up. There are hundreds of thousands of people that don’t pay thier taxes and most of them do not get caught. I do not want to take that chance!
If worse comes to worse, Wesley can always become a librarian or a social worker.
First, Remember innocent until proven guilty....oh yeah we Americans don’t believe in that anymore, we make our judgements on what the media says. Hope the same never happens to you. Then your peers will judge you just a fast.
WELL WESLEY (SORRY) I HATE THE IRS TO.
HOPE ALL WORKS OUT.
ONE OF YOU FOREVER FAN.
Just another rich person with a crooked accountant trying to hide his money. Wonder what the odds are that Mr. Snipes family also got some government assistance when he was younger. Now he cheats the same system that helps many poor people who really need help. Shame on him!
He must have been coached by Willie Nelson.
Hey...his movie career is over anyway. Time to pay the piper.
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Posted by Michelle Esarey, NJ on 05/27 at 12:48 AM
Russell I see you are still a racist