Wesley Snipes Arrested
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Wesley Snipes Arrested
Posted Dec 8th 2006 10:05AM by TMZ Staff
TMZ has learned Wesley Snipes has been arrested and taken into custody by
federal authorities.
The actor was arrested Friday morning after arriving at Orlando
International Airport. Snipes said he was a scapegoat and unfairly targeted
by prosecutors in connection with a federal tax fraud investigation.
Snipes had been shooting a movie in Namibia.
The "White Men Can't Jump" star is accused of failing to pay nearly $12
million in taxes. Officials allege that Snipes fraudulently claimed refunds
in 1996 and 1997, and then failed to file returns between 1999 and 2006.
MC
Friday, December 08, 2006
CREDIT: CNS file
Wesley Snipes in Toronto in 2002.
U.S. federal authorities have taken actor Wesley Snipes into custody.
Sources in Florida report that Snipes was confronted by agents upon
arriving on an overseas private flight at Orlando International Airport
early Friday morning.
The 44-year-old star, who lives in nearby Windermere, Florida, was then
taken in the back entrance of an Ocala courthouse to face tax evasion
and conspiracy charges. Snipes, wearing a black suit and sunglasses,
stood before a judge shortly after 10:30 am.
According to a Florida indictment, Snipes failed to file returns from
1999 to 2004 and of fraudulently claiming nearly $12 million (U.S.) in
refunds in 1996 and 1997. A warrent for his arrest was issued in October.
Snipes, who has been filming the movie Gallowwalker in Namibia, faces 16
years in prison if convicted of the charges.
Snipes has starred in films like White Men Can¹t Jump, the
B.C.-shot Blade, and the made-in-Toronto political thriller Murder at
1600.
© canada.com 2006
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