News Story Commentary -- Wesley Snipes

CNN has a very strange report about Wesley Snipes. I have quoted the report in its entirety, with my commentary thrown in where appropriate.

"WASHINGTON (AP) -- Movie actor Wesley Snipes was indicted Tuesday on eight counts of tax fraud accusing him of trying to cheat the government of $12 million in false refund claims.

Snipes, 44, also failed to file tax returns for six years, according to an indictment unsealed in Tampa, Florida.

Federal prosecutors said that Snipes fraudulently claimed refunds totaling nearly $12 million in 1996 and 1997 on income taxes already paid."

- The IRS is filled with stupid people. How could anyone in their right mind think that Wesley Snipes had $12 million in income? I know that Demolition Man had that tie-in with Taco Bell and all, but aside from Blade the man has not been in anything that made remotely close to 12 mil. Especially in 1996 and 1997.

"According to the indictment, Snipes had his taxes prepared by accountants with a history of filing false returns to reap payments for their clients. As part of the deal, the indictment alleges, the firm, American Rights Litigators, would receive 20 percent of refunds from clients."

- That is awesome. Accountants who work with Hollywood stars to fake out the IRS. Wesley Snipes must be the dumbest man alive, or he, too, realized that he could never get 12 mil in legit income for being a Denzel Washington wannabe, so he made his money the old fashioned way. He stole it.

"Snipes faces a maximum of 16 years in prison.

Snipes, who had a home in Windermere, Florida, has not been arrested because authorities don't know where he is, the IRS said."

- Neither does anyone who watched Passenger 57.

"In 2002, the Justice Department sued a Florida tax preparer who it said filed bogus tax refund claims, including a $7.3 million demand for Snipes.

Snipes was not named as a defendant in that case, but the lawsuit said the preparer's largest claim was an amended income tax return filed on behalf of the actor and dated April 14, 2001. The return requested a $7,360,755 refund for taxes paid in 1997. The return said that Snipes' adjusted gross income was zero, according to the lawsuit."

- AH HA! Wesley Snipes really didn't have any money becuase he sucks at acting. I told ya so! I told ya so!

"It said the preparer, Douglas P. Rosile Sr., told clients that only income from foreign sources was subject to taxation. The resolution of that lawsuit could not be immediately determined."

- So Wesley Snipes can't act and he is stupid. Film at 11.

"Snipes is the star of the star of the "Blade" trilogy and as well as films such as Spike Lee's "Jungle Fever," and the 1992 blockbuster, "White Men Can't Jump."

- And To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Love Julie Newmar. Don't forget that one. And he played Silk in Miami Vice. Not the movie, but the TV show.

"In 2005, South Africa refused to admit him after officials said he tried to enter the country with a forged passport."

- Further proof that no one, other than a South African customs agent, knows who Wesley Snipes is.