Tax Update Blog: Permalink

« Previous · Tax Update Blog Home · Next »

THE TWO-TRACK SNIPES DEFENSE

November 09, 2007

The Tax Update questioned whether it was wise for Wesley Snipes to abandon the race card in fighting his tax evasion charges, in favor of a tax protester defense. It turns out that Mr. Snipes is taking both paths. From E! Online:

The Blade star has filed court documents claiming central Florida's Marion County—where he is due to stand trial on tax evasion charges—is too racist for him to get a fair deal.
Snipes stands accused of fraudulently claiming close to $12 million in refunds in 1996 and 1997 for income taxes already paid. He is also charged with failing to file tax returns from 1999 to 2004. His trial is due to commence in Ocala in January.

Mr. Snipes failed to persuade the judge to throw out the charges on an argument that they were racially motivated and unconstitutional selective prosecution. He has since fired his original defense team and hired Robert G. Bernhoft, who has a history of involvement with tax protest figures. Mr. Bernhoft successfully defended tax protesters Joseph Banister and Vernice Kuglin on crimanal charges.