Wesley Snipes ordered to begin prison sentence 12 9 10 -- Review (News Story)

Review Wesley Snipes Reports to Prison

Actor Wesley Snipes, best known for his roles in the "Blade" trilogy, is expected to surrender himself at a federal prison in Pennsyvlania today to serve a three-year sentence for failing to file his taxes.

Snipes, 48, was convicted in April 2008 of three misdeameanor counts of willful failure to file income taxes and has spent the last two years unsuccessfully trying to appeal the ruling.

But the wait is over for Snipes, who will be required to hand over his street clothes for a prison uniform as he settles into his new home at the McKean Federal Correctional Institution in Lewis Run, Pa.

While Snipes will be booked into McKean, he will end up in the adjacent satellite minimum security prison camp, according to Federal Bureau of Prison spokesman Edmond Ross.

Facing prison Snipes pins hope on prayers Supreme Court
Facing prison Snipes pins hope on prayers Supreme Court
Actor Wesley Snipes said he was nervous about going to jail on Thursday, but was hopeful that his prayers would be answered.
"We still have prayers out there. We still believe in miracles. So don't send me up the river yet," Snipes said in an interview on CNN's "Larry King Live" Tuesday night.
The 48-year-old actor will report to McKean Federal Correctional Institution in Lewis Run, Pennsylvania, Thursday to begin serving a three-year sentence for failing to file tax returns.

The actor conceded he was uneasy about losing his freedom if his appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court fails.
"I think any man would be nervous if his liberty is at stake," Snipes said. "I'm disappointed that the system seems not to be working for me in this situation."
Prosecutors said Snipes earned $40 million since 1999 but had filed no returns and had been involved in a tax resisters group.


Last February, a jury convicted Snipes on the misdemeanor charges, but he was acquitted of more serious felony charges of tax fraud and conspiracy. Jurors accepted his argument that he was innocently duped by errant tax advisers.
Defense attorneys in court documents suggested that to sentence Snipes harshly would be to disregard the jury's verdict.

But prosecutors, in their sentencing recommendation, said the jurors' decision "has been portrayed in the mainstream media as a 'victory' for Snipes. The troubling implication of such coverage for the millions of average citizens who are aware of this case is that the rich and famous Wesley Snipes has 'gotten away with it.' In the end the criminal conduct of Snipes must not be seen in such a light."

Snipes suggested he was unfairly singled out by prosecutors.

"It does seem to be rather unusual and rather bizarre when you had a prosecutor come into the sentencing and say that this is the biggest tax trial in the history of the IRS," Snipes said. "I think there is a certain amount of selectivity going on here."

Snipes indicated he was disturbed by some public comments that he was receiving "just punishment."

"It's been presented as though I'm worthy of this punishment," Snipes said. "I've been a law-abiding citizen ever since I grew up in the Bronx, New York."

One juror, Frank Tuttle, gave Larry King Live a written statement that three other jurors had made up their mind that Snipes was guilty before the trial began. The jury's verdict was a compromise between those jurors who thought Snipes was guilty and those who didn't, Tuttle said in the statement.

"That's when a deal was made to find him guilty on the failure to file taxes and not guilty on the federal tax evasion charges," Tuttle said in the statement. "We did not think he would go to jail."
Snipes' attorney, Daniel R. Meachum, said neither he nor Snipes had any involvement in preparing that juror's statement to Larry King Live, saying the show's producers obtained it on their own.
"We on the defense team never suggested that the media reach out to any of the jurors," Meachum said.
Snipes contended that some media accounts of his trial have distorted public perceptions.
"There have been some egregious and very malicious efforts to report the facts of this case," Snipes said. "I was never charged with tax evasion. I've never been a tax protester."
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[hakbug]

stay strong wesley... fuck these media pirates

[Kidis82]

@thekinderedheart so what he didnt pay taxes, ok fair enough, fine him and have him on home detention. Jail, come on thats harsh. Pedifiles get les than that.

[heythisrocks]

Exsackly mat exsackly

[matthewtaylorbrown]

How odd, my brother gets 27 years and is a hardened criminal. They put tax evaders that can pay fines and they put them in prison where it actually costs us money? Look how much tax is being paid by the top 1%. It is often just a capital gains tax around 15%. Things are so upside down.

[Thecrazyeditor]

I think he should pay the taxes plus interest. Then, do community service through acting. Most of the money should go to help people. No prison for him. Prison can be evil. Go in with a small, and come out not be able to function.

[187mamapimpmafia]

LOVE U TO DEATH CAN U HOLLAR..L.A. SOON

[6garbageman9]

@andborg he already did one of being in prison, called UNDISPUTED

[thekinderedheart]

For the money he makes, just proves how much he thinks he's above the rest of the country. We normal hard working people pay our taxes and these over paid special people try to weasel out of thier responsibilities.

[andborg]

His next film will be a great one. Wesley Snipes in prison ?