Snipes jailed for tax evasion

Actor Wesley Snipes has been sentenced to three years in a US prison for failing to file his federal income tax returns.



The sentence is the maximum under the law.

Snipes was found guilty in February of failing to file tax returns for 1999 to 2001.

The 45-year-old was acquitted on two felony charges of filing false claims and fraud in seeking millions of dollars of refunds in other tax years.

Prosecutors had urged the Florida court to impose a stiff penalty on the actor nonetheless because of his notoriety. They said the high-profile case could deter tax crime nationwide.

"I am very sorry for my mistakes and errors," Snipes told the judge.

"This will never happen again."

He read a prepared statement, describing himself as an "idealist, naive, passionate, truth-seeking, spirtual-seeking artist" who epitomised the expression "mo' money, mo' problems."

Snipes's lawyers, in calling for leniency, had contended that he was convicted of only three misdemeanours and said the Government's tax loss in his case amounted to less than $US400,000.

At today's hearing, the lawyers tried to give the court three envelopes with cheques totaling $US5 million ($5.32 million), but the judge and prosecutor said they could not accept the payments.

Prosecutors said Snipes had earned more than $US38 million since 1999, but still had not filed tax returns for the years 1999 to 2007 or paid any taxes prior to now.

They accused Snipes of presenting himself as a victim and called the cheques a "grandstanding move" that would turn out to be only a fraction of what he owes the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

An IRS agent collected the money during a recess.

The judge said prison officials would notify Snipes when to begin serving his sentence.

Snipes said he would appeal the verdict.

Prosecutors have vowed to oppose any request to allow Snipes to remain free on bond while the appeal is pending.

Snipes's lawyer, Linda Moreno, cited the cases of former Washington mayor Marion Barry and singer Marc Anthony, who avoided prison after failing to file tax returns. Singer Willie Nelson also remained free despite owing $US17 million in back taxes.

Ms Moreno said Snipes had led "an otherwise exemplary life" and had hired reputable tax professionals to help him resolve his tax liability and make amends.