Judge sentences Snipes to 3 years for tax convictions
By icyorchid
@icyorchid (2564)
United States
April 24, 2008 6:33pm CST
WOW! He is a good actor too!
OCALA, Fla. -- A federal judge has sentenced action star Wesley Snipes to the maximum three-year sentence on tax charges.
Prosecutors had requested three years, one year for each of Snipes' convictions 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 sentencing lasted the entire morning without a decision. A jury found Snipes guilty in February of willfully failing to file taxes for three years, in which the government said he owed $2.7 million.
The actor's attorneys said the government's sentencing guidelines weren't fair for tax convictions like his. They wanted him let off with no prison and no fine
http://movies.msn.com/movies/article.aspx?news=311040>1=7701
Tax Scandals of the Stars: http://tv.msn.com/tv/galleryfeature/celebritytaxscandals
1 person likes this
3 responses
@wickedangel (1636)
• Dominican Republic
27 Apr 08
Ho hum, he did break the law but I do think that they shouldn't have given him such a tough sentence. Three years is a long time in prison. Hopefully the will appeal and he will get it shortened or be out early for good behaviour!
I know it is always the case that those with money never get to go to prison but it seems that they are making an example of Wesley Snipes in this case. However, I still think three years is a little too long!
Thanks for sharing this with us.
@ayumitakashi (4462)
• United States
25 Apr 08
Wow I actually was just looking at this on people.com. This is really awful and yeah he is an awesome actor. Three years? That is a lot. I mean that is just plain wrong when stuff like this happens. Sometimes it's their own fault but most of the times it's the people that handle their business's fault. If I were famous I would make sure to keep an eye on all of my things so that something like this does not happen.
@rosettaresearch (1285)
• United States
25 Apr 08
Doesn't matter how good an actor he is, he still has to file his taxes like everyone else. He has even less excuse for not doing it since he can afford an accountant year-round to keep track of it for him and fill out the paperwork.




