Try this on for size, being “Blade” must have dulled his senses, because Mr. Snipes ignored the advice of his former tax adviser, Kenneth Starr, when electing not to file tax returns. Somehow I thought Wesley was smarter than what I’m seeing from his trial in Ocala, Florida.
In the trial his former tax adviser, Kenneth Starr, head of Starr and Company, testified that he had a 90-minute telephone conversation with Snipes trying to convince him that he had to pay taxes.
The Orlando Sentinel reports:
“(Snipes) was adamant about the fact that he did not have that obligation,” Starr said. “I said that was ridiculous; that everyone has that obligation. He said he had spoken to some people that said he didn’t have to.”
Starr, who regularly represents celebrities, said he and Snipes had a good relationship before the actor stopped believing in taxes. “He said, ‘You always think you’re right and you always think you know everything. You’re not right about this,”‘ Starr recalled of his pivotal 2000 phone call with Snipes.
The next day, Starr sent a letter terminating his tax services with the actor.
Snipes’ defense said Starr never told the actor in writing it would be illegal to stop paying taxes. Starr said he didn’t have to; he told Snipes on the phone and needed nothing further to terminate their tax arrangement.
The simple challenge here for proof of guilt or innocence (at least in the mind of the jury) is – did Wesley Snipes know what he was doing when he refused to file and pay his taxes. Looks like, at least from what has been seen thus far, the answer is a resounding – YES!
I can understand the possibility of falling prey to bad advice (and Eddie Kahn gives BAD ADVICE) but when you couple that with the advice from your former tax adviser who testified that he advised you not to follow Kahn…well, Wesley – gotta say it doesn’t look good for the home team here.
Some call it “Club Fed.” Let me state from personal experience – it is FED – it is NO CLUB. Prison is not fun and I would wish no one that experience. But, having been there and hence speaking from experience, since every choice has a consequence – it is important to be conscious of the choices we make as each will produce results – bad choices yield negative consequences – good choices yield positive results.
I wish the best for Wesley, but would be shocked if he is not convicted of tax fraud.
Your thoughts?
Motivational Speaker - Chuck Gallagher Business Ethics and Choices Expert 
To whom this may concern,
It is clear that the Federal Government has no power to collect a direct unapportioned tax on our labor, read (if you can) the supreme court’s decision of Pollock v. farm loan & trust at 158 U.S. 601 at page 637, then look at what the federal circuit ruled in union ele. v. United States at 363 Fd3rd at page 1299-1300, in 2004. It is clear that the so called “courts” must still follow Pollock until in has been overruled by the Supreme Court. The fact is that Wesely Snipes is no more guilty of a crime than any of the jews sent to gas champer in natzi Germany. Read the damn law for your self, you need to turn off the Gerry Springer show once in a while.
Don…while I respect your opinion and interpretation of the law – here’s a reality check. If you don’t file your tax return or pay your taxes in the US – you will go to jail. There ain’t no get out of jail free card just because you think the law supports you position. This isn’t Jerry (that’s with a “J”) Springer. I was in federal prison and several of the inmates there with me were there for one reason and one reason only – they were tax evaders. They believed (apparently like you) that income taxes were not established in law and hence (like Snipes) didn’t pay them. I stand by my prediction – Snipes will be convicted and go to jail. Could be wrong…hope I am, but seriously doubt it. ONE this is for sure…if he wins, there will be a bunch of people not filing in the future. I, however, will file as I want my refund.
[…] Closing arguements were on Tuesday. MSM reported it this way. Others see it this way. […]
has he been sent to jail? can some1 send a reply to my email address whih is craig20222000@hotmail.co.uk, thanks.
Sentencing for Wesley Snipes is set for April 24th. It will be interesting to see what the sentence is since most people convicted for failure to file get some sort of active sentence.
Guys, if this article is talking about income tax, why is he going to jail? There is no law that gives the IRS the power to collect income tax. There is no law. Period. 27 people in the US have been cleared by a jury for NOT paying income taxes. Show a law written by congress that says the goverment is allowed to collect a tax from peoples wages and labour, and you’ve settled this argument. Until you can, INNOCENT!
Shawn…WAKE UP. Whether there is a law or not is irrelevant. Let me challenge you to put your life and money where your mouth is. Don’t pay your taxes. File a return and say on it that there is no law and hence you’re not required to pay. Go for it.
If you do have the nerve to do that, which you don’t, then eventually you’ll find yourself in federal prison. End of story! How do I know, cause I was there. I spent time with convicted felons, like myself, who believed as you and they did put their lives where their mouth is. All it got them was a five year sentence in prison. Oh, and when they got out…they filed and paid their taxes.
Perhaps it’s time for you to spend your time focusing on something that you can do to make a difference…cause you’re barking up the wrong tree with this battle.