May 23rd, 2008 by admin in Celebrity, Celebrity Lawsuits, Celebrity Legal, Wesley Snipes
ORLANDO, Florida - Wesley Snipes was granted bail on Thursday pending an appeal of his conviction and sentencing last month to three years in prison for failing to file income tax returns for 1999 through 2001.
Snipes’ lawyers and court officials in Ocala, Florida, said a judge had granted a request by the star of the “Blade” movie series to remain free on bond while he tries to overturn his federal tax convictions.
Snipes had been set to surrender to federal prison authorities during the first week of June to begin serving his sentence, and prosecutors had earlier vowed to oppose any request to allow him to remain free pending an appeal.
Source
What a SHOCKER! I’m going out on a limb here, but I bet his tax convictions go out the window.
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April 25th, 2008 by admin in Celebrity, Celebrity Lawsuits, Celebrity Legal, Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson
Wesley Snipes was sentenced to three years in prison yesterday.
The Hollywood actor - who owed $2.8 million in unreturned tax bills from 1999 to 2001 - was condemned by Judge William Terrell Hodges for exhibiting a “history of contempt over a period of time” for US tax laws.
Snipes, 45, apologised for his “costly mistakes” and blamed his failure to pay on his lack of education.
Speaking at the court in Ocala, Florida, Snipes said: “I am an idealistic, naive, passionate, truth-seeking, spiritually motivated artist, unschooled in the science of law and finance.
“I am well-intentioned, but miseducated”.
During the hearing, Snipes’ lawyers offered letters from the star’s family members and friends - including Hollywood actors Denzel Washington and Woody Harrelson - speaking about his good character.
They had recommended Snipes be given home detention because he had no previous criminal record.
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December 11th, 2006 by admin in Wesley Snipes
Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes has appeared in court after being arrested on fraud charges on Friday in Florida.
The Blade star is alleged to have evaded around $12 million (£6.1 million) in 1996 and 1997, before failing to file tax returns between 1999 and 2006.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has paid a $1 million (£0.51 million) bond so he can return to Namibia, where he is currently filming the feature film Gallow Walker.
Facing up to 16 years in prison if he is convicted, Snipes has consistently claimed he is a scapegoat in the case.
“I look forward to vindicating myself and clearing my name,” the Reuters news agency reported Snipes as telling reporters.
The 44-year-old was arrested in Orlando after being indicted on the tax fraud charges on October 17th.
He has starred in numerous films in his 20-year Hollywood career, which began in 1986 when he played opposite Goldie Hawn in Wildcats. Since then he has starred in White Men Can’t Jump, Passenger 57, The Fan and, most notably, the Blade trilogy.
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