Snipes Appeals Tax Convictions

3 months ago 22nd Nov 06:30

Wesley Snipes has appealed his three-year prison sentence on U.S. federaltax charges - insisting the term is "unreasonable".

The Blade trilogy star was convicted in 2008 of three misdemeanour counts of wilful failure to file his income tax return.

In a Georgia Court of Appeals on Friday (20Nov09) his attorney accused prosecutors of seeking to make an example out of the actor, insisting thesentence focused too heavily on deterrence

According to prosecutors, who pursued the maximum penalty, Snipes made at least $13.8 million (Gbp8.6 million) for the years in question and owed $2.7 million (Gbp1.7 million) in back taxes.

Snipes apologised at the time, insisting he was was "unschooled in the science of law and finance".

In a Georgia Court of Appeals on Friday (20Nov09) his attorney accused prosecutors of seeking to make an example out of the actor, insisting thesentence "focused too heavily on deterrence".

Snipes' attorney also argued the actor should have been granted a hearing to decide whether his trial should have been in New York instead of Florida, where he has homes.

Snipes remains free on bail and was not present at the Atlanta courthouse.

The three-judge panel did not issue an immediate decision.