Bill O’Reilly went after Wesley Snipes tonight. Talk about kicking a guy when he’s down. Bill had on Judge Greg Mathis, who also wrote a character reference for Wesley Snipes. Mathis points out that Snipes’ crime was a non-violent misdemeanor, and even Willie Nelson didn’t even get jail time for his tax crime. However, Willie gave away most of his money to help people, but Snipes kept the money he didn’t pay in taxes for himself, so that’s like comparing apples to oranges. The crime was the same, but the intent was different.

You reap what you sew.

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Despite a character letter from both Woody Harrelson and Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes was sentenced today to THREE years in prison. He got the maximum sentence. Nathan J. Hochman, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, said:

"Snipes’ long prison sentence should send a loud and crystal clear message to all tax defiers that if they engage in similar tax defier conduct, they face joining him and his co-defendants … as inmates in prison."

The judge ruled that Snipes did not have to start serving his sentence immediately, but could surrender at a later date. He was convicted in February of three misdemeanor charges for failing to file his taxes. The government also claimed he owed $2.7 million, but his lawyer said it was only $228,000. If he owed such a small amount why was he STUPID enough to roll the dice and not pay it?!!! He’ll have three years to figure out how to file his taxes in the future.

Wesley fought the gov and the gov won.

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Federal prosecutors asked a court Monday to make an example of Wesley Snipes by sentencing him to the maximum of three years in prison for failing to file a tax return.

It’s cases like this that really showcase how the IRS has too much power, and no watch dog to check that power. American citizens should not face jail time for debt, or for failing to file and pay taxes. The IRS can get a court judgement, or even a lien against property, to get repaid for the debt owed to them, so jail time seems more like an abuse of power than justice.

Free Wesley!

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Wesley Snipes (45) was found not guilty of federal tax-fraud and conspiracy charges Friday, but was convicted on three misdemeanor counts of failing to file a tax return. Snipes faced 16 years in prison, but now may face only 3 years. He could get probation.

Co-defendants Eddie Ray Kahn, the founder of a tax protest group, and Douglas P. Rosile, the accountant, were convicted by the same jury of tax fraud and conspiracy.

Snipes sat expressionless until all of his verdicts were read. Then, defense attorney Robert Bernhoft put his hand on the actor’s leg and Snipes nodded in relief.

Rosile grimaced when his verdict was read. Kahn was not in attendance. He remains behind bars and argues the court has no jurisdiction to try him.

The IRS bears a unique burden of proof in criminal tax cases. The agency must show not only that someone broke the law, but he or she did so with willful, bad purpose to defraud the government.

Celebrity justice is served again. If you’ve got the money, you can hire the right attorney with the right connections.

Today in a Florida federal court, Wesley Snipes and his attorneys rested their case, without calling a single witness. His attorney, Daniel Meachum, said, "We chose not to call witnesses because there was no need to. The government prosecutors have put on a case that simply does not come close to meeting the standard of its burden of proof."

Snipes and two co-defendants are currently on trial in for allegedly failing to file his 2000 federal taxes, for demanding $11 million in tax refunds on taxes he’d already paid, and bouncing checks to the U.S. Treasury. Snipes’ attorneys say he is the victim of unscrupulous accountants and sincerely believed he didn’t have to pay taxes.

Earlier in the trial Wesley sent a document to the IRS that said:

He chastised the IRS and prosecutors, saying their position toward him was “simply false, fraudulent and misrepresenting.” The document also warned the government’s “illegal collection action” would result in “significant personal liability” for those involved. “Warning – pursuit of such a high profile target will open the door for your increased collateral risk,” Snipes wrote. “I certainly don’t believe this is in your best interest and can be avoided.”

… Among other things, the letter claimed the IRS deceives people to “terrorize, enslave, rape or pillage” taxpayers.

After serving his time in prison Snipes is going to look back at all this stupidity and wish it had all been a publicity stunt for a new movie.