Tax Update Blog: Permalink

« Previous · Tax Update Blog Home · Next »

TROUBLE IN THE BROWN COMPOUND

August 27, 2007

Are Ed Brown's people skills on par with his tax comprehension? That may be the case, according to an Associated Press report of disharmony in the convicted tax evader's fortified compound:

Some supporters of Ed and Elaine Brown, who were convicted of tax evasion and have refused to turn themselves in, are now keeping their distance.

In the more than six months since the Browns, holed up in their home, were convicted, they have hosted an ever-changing cast of backers.

Some relationships have ended bitterly: The Browns have squabbled with bloggers, radio hosts, and several spokesmen and assistants.

Mr. Brown appears to have rather stiff standards for his supporters. Anything short of an armed confrontation with the IRS is insufficient evidence of anti-tax ardor:

Doug Kenline, a blogger who set up a website dedicated to news about the Browns and who interviewed them for audio webcasts, was rejected by Ed Brown, who had learned that Kenline's wages were being taken by the IRS to cover unpaid back taxes, the Concord Monitor reported.

"I'm not talking anymore to people who aren't going to stand up for the lawful laws of this land," Brown said in an Internet recording of the conversation in which the two parted ways. "People can be slaves, and I'm not going to associate with them anymore."

That's harsh. The IRS has levied on Mr. Kenline's wages. What is he supposed to do - quit his job? Attack his employer? This bitter-end standard of tax resistance must pose a marital dilemma for Mr. Brown; the feds have seized his wife's dental office as part of their tax case. Is Mrs. Brown the next to go?

Prior Tax Update Coverage:

BACK AT THE NEW HAMPSHIRE STANDOFF

      Bookmark: del.icio.us • Digg • reddit