Wesley Snipes Really Trying to Avoid Prison
Wesley Snipes really doesn't want to go to prison.
Not that anyone does. But Snipes is going to ridiculous legal lengths to avoid serving a three-year prison term for tax evasion. His first appeal, of the conviction itself, failed. Now he's challenging the length of the three-year sentence.
Here's his defense in a nutshell:
- Not paying taxes for five years (when you're rich no less): Eh.
- Going to jail for three years: So harsh! Lay off, government!
Seriously. The 47-year-old actor's lawyers are calling the sentence "unreasonable" and claiming that his trial should have taken place in New York, not Florida.
Never mind that Snipes' records show he lived in both states or that he had ample time to request a venue change in the years-in-the-making trial's location.
Come on, Wesley Snipes. It's over, man.
"The right to a correct venue is part and parcel to the right to a jury trial," Snipes' attorney, Peter Goldberger, said of Snipes, who is still free on $1 million bond.
The prosecution, meanwhile, shot down Goldberger's claim, saying that no amount of whining over the justly chosen venue can reverse Snipes' tax wrongdoing.
"Wesley Snipes received a fair trial and fair sentence," Asst. U.S. attorney Patricia Barksdale said. "His numerous appeals do not make that sentence erroneous."
Snipes was sentenced in April of last year after a jury determined that the actor failed to file returns on at least $13.8 million in income between 1999-2004.
At least his White Men Can't Jump quotes should be popular in jail.
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- Wesley Snipes: Officially Ordered to Prison
- Wesley Snipes: Finally Headed to Jail
- Wesley Snipes Sentenced to Three Years in Jail
March 3rd, 2011 12:13 PM
Well jail time will make him understand what he did wrong! He is not above the law. I have been locked up and it does help in a lot of ways mentally. I hope that he find his real power now while he does his time. And change his life when he comes out.
November 21st, 2010 12:07 PM
AFTER 20 YEARS OF TAX EVASION CHARLIE RENGEL GETS A SLAP ON THE WRIST AND IT IS SAID THAT HE DOES HAVE TO PAY RESTITUTION. NOTHING IS SAID ABOUT PENALTIES OR INTEREST?? IT IS A JOKE THAT HE WAS THE HEAD OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE. TELL ME IF WESLEY SNIPES CONVICTION IS FAIR COMPARING HIS CASE TO CHARLIE REGELS. JUSTICE SHOULD BE EQUAL AND CHARLIE RENGEL IN MY BOOK IS NO EXCEPTION. HE SHOULD BE GETTING THE SAME TREATMENT AS WESLEY SNIPES AND SHOULD ALSO HAVE TO PAY PENALTIES AND INTEREST ON THE MONEY OWED. HE ALSO SHOULD SPEND MORE TIME IN JAIL DUE TO THE 20 YEARS OF AVOIDING TAXES. WHY DOES CHARLIE REGELS GET SPECIAL TREATMENT?
August 26th, 2010 7:49 PM
Let's just substitute Wesley's name with ooooohhhhhh saaaayyyy Charlie Sheen,Robert Downey Jr., or any Rock Star or white Movie start with a mug shot..... I know how about we give him 2 weeks in jail then transfer him to tax rehab where he can just pay the money that he owes. Like a certain actress or a host of other heiresses (only they just got DUI's)! Rehab that'll do it! what does jail do except give pleasure to the majority who want to see all blacks in jail no matter what - not to mention the tax dollars WE have to spend to keep him there!!!!! This is about the money........Is paying it back too easy? No we must draw blood people.
August 26th, 2010 4:54 PM
Pat Riot has a point, we pay taxes every time we buy something and then we are taxed on money that we work for and before we even see the check the government has their cut. No wonder everybody tries to hustle, the government forces you to. Of course, the Gov't. is the biggrst hustler of all. They are pimps, pimping the American people. The Constitution says "of the people, for the people, by the people, but of course we have no say so in anything really. At the end of the day, if you don't abide by their rules, you pay fines and go to jail. I think crime should be rewarded with punishment accordingly, but tax evasion is not a jail crime in my opinion, but should be a punishment of the same kind, which is money....so make him pay back the money with inrerest and be done. The tax payers did no crime, but we will foot his bill if he is in jail and he has money. Don't make sense to me. You know they pick and choose who they go after and who they let slide, it all depends on who you are an
August 26th, 2010 4:15 PM
Why Prisiob? A few yeas ago the irs would just grab your assets and auctin them for the tax bill. Now days they just throw you in prision.
August 26th, 2010 12:56 PM
It's called entitlement-or so he thinks
Rank: New User
August 26th, 2010 10:06 AM
Some times I just don't get it? The Banks get bailed out, the auto industry gets bailed out. This is a gross waste of tax dollars. Make him pay for it and be done with it. What does jail time do?
May 9th, 2010 9:38 PM
i think everybody makes mistake,so we should forgive him for that.
everybody calls me wesley nipes so he's my man
March 10th, 2010 3:05 PM
C'mon - Wesley - stop crying and do your time. I agree prison should not be a sentence imposed for a non-violent tax evasion offender, BUT, unfortunately it is the current system and there are a LOT of people currently in prison for a considerable less amount. Based on that - man up and get it over with...
February 26th, 2010 2:52 PM
Jail is no place for anyone other then violent offenders who pose a danger to the ret of us. Tax cheats should be made to pay pay and pay that way society will benefit. Why the hell should we now have to pay for this guys incarceration. Makes no sense. What makes sense is to make him pay twice what he owes and that he could do!