Feds to judge: Give Snipes maximum penalty

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Federal prosecutors Tuesday urged a Florida judge to sentence actor Wesley Snipes to three years in prison and fine him $5 million to demonstrate to taxpayers that refusal to pay income taxes carries severe penalties. 

Snipes is scheduled to be sentenced April 24 by U.S. District Judge William Hodges in Ocala, Florida, on three counts of failure to file federal income tax returns.

One week after vowing to crack down on “tax defiers,” the Justice Department filed court papers seeking the maximum penalty for the three misdemeanor counts on which Snipes was convicted.

“This case presents the court with a singular opportunity to deter tax fraud nationwide,” the government said in its sentencing recommendation…

The 35-page argument for the stiffest possible penalty ends with a dramatic flair.

“In the defendant Wesley Snipes, the court is presented with a wealthy, famous and inveterate tax scofflaw. If ever a tax offender was deserving of being held accountable to the maximum extent for his criminal wrongdoing, Snipes is that defendant,” it says.

The IRS is also seeking repayment of all taxes and interest through civil court proceedings.

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April 16, 2008 | Filed Under irs, tax evasion 

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