Failing to file income tax returns can put one in jail, as actor Wesley Snipes found out on Friday, when a federal judge ordered him to serve three years in prison for tax evasion.
The court rejected Snipes’ request for a new trial, saying that he had a fair trial and that the court ruling should now be enforced. Wesley Snipes’ lawyer said that the jury was biased and the prosecution’s main witness against Snipes also had problems with the law. The prosecution revealed that the Hollywood actor had earned some 39 million dollars since 1999, and up to October 2006 he has paid no taxes on these earnings.
The actor was also denied bail and he is to turn himself over to prison guards as per instructions from the Bureau of Prisons or the US Marshals.
It is yet unclear whether Snipes will serve his jail time, as his lawyer, who said the court’s decision was “shocking”, vowed to appeal if a new trial would be denied by the court.
Wesley Snipes seems to be very strong in his conviction of not paying taxes on his earnings. He has already lost the appeal on his 2008 conviction related to three counts of willfully failing to file tax returns from 1999 to 2001, while he was found not guilty on other five similar charges.
It is yet unknown what prison will be housing Snipes for the next three years, but US Marshals said that it will most likely be outside Florida. For now, his status with the Bureau of Prisons is “in transit”. Snipes and his lawyer will be notified of the actor’s date of surrender.
Wesley Snipes is best known for his performances in action movies such as “Blade”, but he also had success with comedies (“White Men Can’t Jump” – 1992).