Free Site Registration


Wesley Snipes Asks for Retrial

Print
Email
Reprints
Ocala, Fla. (August 31, 2010)

Actor Wesley Snipes has filed documents with a Florida court requesting a new trial, claiming “jury misconduct.”

Snipes’ lawyers said in the filing that they received e-mails from two jurors who said that three other jurors had already made up their minds before the trial that the “Blade” actor was guilty. The e-mails claim the other jurors “told us [Snipes] was guilty before they even heard the first piece of evidence,” according to TMZ.

Snipes also claimed the jury should have been informed that one of the prosecution witnesses against him, his former accountant Kenneth Starr (not to be confused with the independent counsel who investigated former President Bill Clinton), was being investigated for “criminal activities of conspiring to evade taxes.”

Advertisement

Snipes was convicted in February 2008 of three misdemeanor counts of willful failure to file his tax returns for 1999, 2000 and 2001, and sentenced to three years in prison, but he was acquitted of felony tax charges. He lost an appeal in July, but has so far remained free on bond (see Appeals Court Upholds Wesley Snipes Tax Conviction). Earlier this month a judge granted him the ability to file a motion for a new trial (see Judge Grants Snipes Ability to File Motion for New Trial).

Separately, Snipes’ former co-defendant, Eddie Ray Kahn, who sold illegal tax evasion schemes to Snipes and other clients through his company American Rights Litigators/Guiding Light of God Ministries, was sentenced on Monday to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States and commit mail fraud, and one count of mail fraud. Three of Kahn’s colleagues also received 10-year prison terms on Monday. Kahn had been previously sentenced to a 10-year term when he was convicted with Snipes in 2008.

0 Comments

Be the first to comment on this post using the section below.

Add Your Comments...

Already Registered?

If you have already registered to Accounting Today, please use the form below to login. When completed you will immeditely be directed to post a comment.

 

Advertisement
Advertisement

What's New at Grant Thornton

May 14, 2012

CEO Stephen Chipman talks about his firm's new brand focus on growth, and its recent M&A activity.

Advertisement

SLIDE SHOW

Top 10 Payroll Mistakes Companies Make

May 14, 2012

Keeping your clients from running afoul of IRS rules around payroll taxes will help them avoid stiff penalties.

10 Years of the Top 100 Firms

May 6, 2012

Tracking trends at the biggest firms in the U.S.

Best Accounting Firm Taglines

April 27, 2012

Our favorite slogans from around the profession.

Favorite Busy Season Activities

April 10, 2012

LinkedIn Accounting members share the best methods to bust stress and boost morale.

The Best Places to Be an Accountant 2012

March 27, 2012

From our 2012 Regional Leaders list, we rank the best parts of the country to operate an accounting firm.

More Wacky Tax Deductions

March 26, 2012

LinkedIn members point out some weird tax deductions their clients have suggested.

7 Tax-Free Benefits for Employees

April 15, 2012

Employee rewards Uncle Sam can't touch.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement