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Snipes gets bail pending appeal
in tax case
Barbara Liston
Reuters
Friday, May 23, 2008
Actor Wesley Snipes was granted bail on Thursday pending an
appeal of his conviction and sentencing last month to three years
in prison for failing to file income tax returns for 1999 through
2001.
Snipes' lawyers and court officials in Ocala, Florida, said a
judge had granted a request by the star of the "Blade"
movie series to remain free on bond while he tries to overturn
his federal tax convictions.
Snipes had been set to surrender to federal prison authorities
during the first week of June to begin serving his sentence, and
prosecutors had earlier vowed to oppose any request to allow him
to remain free pending an appeal.
(Article continues below)
U.S. District Judge William Terrell Hodges wrote that he was
"dubious" of Snipes appeal arguments. But Hodges agreed
to bail, noting that Snipes otherwise could easily serve his entire
sentence before a decision could be reached on his appeal.
Snipes, who had been indicted on felony tax fraud charges, was
convicted only of three misdemeanours. At his sentencing in April,
prosecutors said the actor had earned more than $38 million (19.2
million pounds) since 1999, but had filed no tax returns or paid
any taxes.
The day of Snipes' sentencing, his lawyers brought checks totalling
$5 million, which they gave to Internal Revenue Service agents
during a recess.
In arguments for bail, his lawyers wrote that Snipes was "actively
engaged in resolving his liabilities with the IRS civilly"
and a meeting with the agency was scheduled for next week.
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