Former Calif. Candidate Wins Jail Time

Failed gubernatorial candidate George Henry "Nick" Jesson, who ran on a strident anti-tax platform, has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for tax fraud and ordered to pay $215,454 in restitution.

Jesson, 55, was involved with a group called "We the People for Constitutional Education," which contended that paying taxes is not required in the United States. He publicly dared tax agents to try and collect from him and described raids on his home and business as terrorist attacks.

He pleaded guilty in June to filing a false federal tax form in 2000 after previously stating that his company, No Time Delay Electronics, paid him no wages for 1997. Jesson had actually received wages of $177,083 and paid $273,236 to his wife. He also admitted to falsely obtaining a business tax refund of $215,454.

Jesson finished fourth of seven candidates in the 2002 Republican primary for California governor.

Jesson and his wife, who reside in Fountain Valley, Calif., still face trial in state court on six felony counts of failing to pay taxes on $3 million in income from 1997 to 1999. He could receive an additional nine years in prison, while his wife faces up to seven years of jail time.

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