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IS THIS REALLY THE BEST USE OF LIMITED TAX PROSECUTION RESOURCES?

March 27, 2008

I'm all for strict enforcement of the tax laws, but isn't this like executing a dead man:

WATERLOO --- A convicted sex offender is now facing accusations he cheated the federal government out of income tax.

Authorities charged Frank Dotseth, 73, of Decorah, last week in U.S. District Court in Waterloo with three counts of attempting to evade income tax and three counts of aiding and assisting in preparation and presentation of a false return.

All well and good, if that's the only way to get a sex offender off the streets. But it's not:

A jury in January in Winneshiek County convicted Dotseth of five counts of third-degree sexual abuse. According to court records, his victim was a 13-year-old girl.

A judge sentenced Dotseth to 50 years in prison and imposed a $5,000 fine. He is appealing the conviction and sentencing.

Sure, they got Al Capone for tax evasion, but would they have bothered with the tax charges had they got him for the Valentine's Day Massacre?

This man will be in prison until he's 123 years old. They can use civil proceedings to get whatever cash he may have left to pay the taxes. It hardly seems worth the effort to give him another 38 months or so for tax evasion.

Tags: tax crime.

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