Actor Wesley Snipes tried, or at least his lawyers did, to keep the IRS away, but one thing Blade can’t do is ward-off the tax man.
U.S. District Judge Terrell Hodges has ordered Snipes to begin serving a three-year jail sentence for income tax evasion. The sentence is to commence immediately with all bail being denied by the judge.
Snipes could not be reached for comment but his lawyers released a statement saying that the actor “is very disappointed” in the ruling and is seeking a new trial siting juror bias in his first trial which he claims eliminated any chance for the famous actor to receive a fair trial. However, the court has stated that he has already been found guilty on three separate counts of “willful failure to file tax returns” for years 1999 through 2001.
While the court says the sentence can begin immediately the U.S. Marshals Service has said that the Florida Bureau of Prisons will contact Snipes along with his lawyers when the surrender date is to occur.
I wonder if he’ll actually have to serve out the whole sentence or if he’ll be out after two weeks for “good behavior” like other celebrities.
Go to jail, go directly to jail do not collect $200!!!
Snipes should just look at this as research for future roles.
CASTING DIRECTOR: “Any experience playing a fugitive?”
If this had happened before he did US Marshals, it would’ve been more believable.
“I wonder if he’ll actually have to serve out the whole sentence…”
Last time I checked, people convicted of Federal crimes must serve a minimum 85% of their sentence. Technically they are not eligible for parole but can receive credit for good behavior of up to 54 days per year (360 x .15) Federal sentences are calculated by months not years.
Of course I could be wrong; but I don’t think so, as the IRS has its own court system and separate set of laws for tax matters. The only other government agency that has a separate set of laws and procedures is the military.