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'Freedom and Privacy Committee' may need a new name

July 30, 2010

A boise man whose "Freedom and Privacy Committee" promoted illegal tax avoidance schemes will be doing without freedom and privacy for awhile. Joseph Saladino was sentenced Wednesday to five years in federal prison on federal tax charges. From Oregonlive.com:

Saladino had no legal, accounting or tax training. But he and Fuselier developed their "Claim of Right" theory, based on the premise that wages and income from self-employment is not taxable. Along with Mungovan and the colorful Bendshadler, who wore a kilt to the courtroom for the duration of his trial, Saladino and Fusilier promoted the Claim of Right theory nationwide via the U.S. mail, the Internet and live seminars.

The Freedom and Privacy Committee was enjoined from giving tax advice in 2005. Things apparently went downhill from there, but as committee web site asked in a Harry Potter typeface, "who needs freedom and privacy?"

Mr. Bendshadler, the kilt-wearer, will be sentenced separately. We'll learn whether the sentencing judge is leg man.

Tags: Joseph Saladino.tax crime.tax protesters.