Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

Denzel, Others Go to Bat for Snipes

He's a 'mighty oak,' judge told; sentencing in tax case tomorrow

Share

(Newser) – Wesley Snipes is not merely an actor trying to get out of a jail sentence on tax charges. He is a "mighty oak," says Denzel Washington. "True citizen of the world," says Woody Harrelson. "Goodness in his heart," says Judge Joe Brown. Snipes is hoping such character references will persuade a judge to go easy on him at tomorrow's sentencing, the Ocala (Fla.) Star-Banner reports.

Snipes faces up to 3 years in jail and a $5 million fine for not filing taxes. In a bid to get probation instead, Snipes lined up some celebrity big guns to vouch for his character. "I strongly believe that jail time would not benefit Wesley," said another TV judge, Greg Mathis.

Actor Wesley Snipes signs autographs outside the Golden-Collum Memorial Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008.
Actor Wesley Snipes signs autographs outside the Golden-Collum Memorial Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Joe Kaleita)
Woody Harrelson doesn't want his buddy Wesley Snipes to serve jail time.
Woody Harrelson doesn't want his buddy Wesley Snipes to serve jail time.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Actor Denzel Washington compares his friend Wesley Snipes to a
Actor Denzel Washington compares his friend Wesley Snipes to a "mighty oak."   (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Wesley Snipes smiles as he leaves the U.S. federal courthouse in Ocala, Fla. Friday, Feb. 1, 2008.
Wesley Snipes smiles as he leaves the U.S. federal courthouse in Ocala, Fla. Friday, Feb. 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)
Wesley Snipes smiles as he leaves the U.S. federal courthouse in Ocala, Fla. Friday, Feb. 1, 2008.
Wesley Snipes smiles as he leaves the U.S. federal courthouse in Ocala, Fla. Friday, Feb. 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

9 Stories

ANALYSIS

 What If I Don't Feel Like Filing? 

Christopher Beam explores the potential evader's options

Apr 15, 09 2:08 PM CDT
(Newser) - With millions of Americans enduring long lines at the post office today to file their tax returns, Christopher Beam of Slate can’t help wonder: What would happen if you simply didn’t file? The answer is probably not much—7 million Americans declined to file last year, and only... More »

MORE ABOUT:
taxes • IRS • income tax • business • tax evasion • audit • federal income tax • Wesley Snipes

(Newser) - In an effort to increase revenue, the Internal Revenue Service is relaxing penalties on offshore tax evaders in hopes they will come forward, the New York Times reports. A penalty that was 50% of offshore holdings will drop as low as 5%. “They need to get money back into... More »

MORE ABOUT:
taxes • IRS • UBS • tax evasion • Internal Revenue Service • Federal government • penalty • offshore

(Newser) - Cheating the IRS is illegal and dumb. That said, Details asked attorney Kelly Phillips Erb—who keeps a blog that welcomes cheaters—to evaluate a few of the more popular scams. "I find their logic interesting," Erb says.
  • Hide Your Gambling Winnings: Doable, but a score
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
taxes • Internal Revenue Service • cheating

9 Stories


Case a test of government strategy on 'tax defiers'
Forbes

Snipes says probation 'just punishment'
Ocala Star-Banner


Gossip  •  Crime & Courts 
TwitterFollow @NewserGossip on Twitter

 
taxes • celebrity trials • Internal Revenue Service • Denzel Washington • Wesley Snipes

from our news partners