Article published Jan 24, 2008
Snipes warned IRS agents: Back off or face 'increased collateral risk'
BY RICK CUNDIFF
STAR-BANNER
OCALA - Less than two months after being indicted in 2006, actor Wesley Snipes sent a document to the Internal Revenue Service declaring he was a "nonresident alien" of the United States, refuting his Social Security number and warning that continued prosecution could lead to professional consequences for federal employees.
IRS Frivolous Return Program senior technical advisor Shauna Henline read excerpts of the document into the record during Snipes' tax evasion trial on Thursday at prosecutors' direction.
In the 600-page declaration signed by Snipes and sent Dec. 4, 2006, Snipes said he had "no ill intent or malice" and didn't want to evade any lawful requirement to pay taxes. But he went on to say the government had "no lawful authority to impose any kind of criminal sanctions."
Snipes declare he had no taxable U.S. income, making the IRS Form 1040 "absolutely the wrong form for me to file." He also claimed taxes withheld were "stolen funds."
He chastised the IRS and prosecutors saying their position toward him was "simply false, fraudulent and misrepresenting."
The document also warned the government's "illegal collection action" would result in "significant personal liability" for those involved.
"Warning - pursuit of such a high profile target will open the door for your increased collateral risk," Snipes wrote. "I certainly don't believe this is in your best interest and can be avoided."
Snipes and codefendants Eddie Ray Kahn and Douglas Rosile are on trial in federal court in Ocala. Each is charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud and one count of aiding and abetting the making of a false and fraudulent claim as part of an alleged tax fraud scheme. Snipes also is charged with six counts of willfully failing to file federal income tax returns.
http://www.ocala.com/article/20080124/BREAKING_NEWS/790471096/1053/BREAKING_NEWS
Snipes warned IRS agents: Back off or face 'increased collateral risk'
BY RICK CUNDIFF
STAR-BANNER
OCALA - Less than two months after being indicted in 2006, actor Wesley Snipes sent a document to the Internal Revenue Service declaring he was a "nonresident alien" of the United States, refuting his Social Security number and warning that continued prosecution could lead to professional consequences for federal employees.
IRS Frivolous Return Program senior technical advisor Shauna Henline read excerpts of the document into the record during Snipes' tax evasion trial on Thursday at prosecutors' direction.
In the 600-page declaration signed by Snipes and sent Dec. 4, 2006, Snipes said he had "no ill intent or malice" and didn't want to evade any lawful requirement to pay taxes. But he went on to say the government had "no lawful authority to impose any kind of criminal sanctions."
Snipes declare he had no taxable U.S. income, making the IRS Form 1040 "absolutely the wrong form for me to file." He also claimed taxes withheld were "stolen funds."
He chastised the IRS and prosecutors saying their position toward him was "simply false, fraudulent and misrepresenting."
The document also warned the government's "illegal collection action" would result in "significant personal liability" for those involved.
"Warning - pursuit of such a high profile target will open the door for your increased collateral risk," Snipes wrote. "I certainly don't believe this is in your best interest and can be avoided."
Snipes and codefendants Eddie Ray Kahn and Douglas Rosile are on trial in federal court in Ocala. Each is charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud and one count of aiding and abetting the making of a false and fraudulent claim as part of an alleged tax fraud scheme. Snipes also is charged with six counts of willfully failing to file federal income tax returns.
http://www.ocala.com/article/20080124/BREAKING_NEWS/790471096/1053/BREAKING_NEWS
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