In the latest twist to the bizarre trial of actor Wesley Snipes, state prosecutors have produced a 600-page declaration, in which the actor describes himself as a 'non-resident alien' of the United States.
Snipes is currently on trial in Ocala, Florida for tax evasion as well as submitting a fraudulent tax refund claim.
The actor has blamed his co-accused – tax accountants Eddie Kahn and Douglas Rosile – for persuading him to not pay his taxes.
According to the state, Snipes submitted his extraordinary declaration to the US Internal Revenue Service, refuting his Social Security number and also warning that further prosecution attempts by the tax department could lead to professional consequences for federal employees.
In the document, Snipes further assured that he had 'no ill intent or malice' and didn't want to evade any lawful requirement to pay taxes.
But he went on to say the government had 'no lawful authority to impose any kind of criminal sanctions.'
The actor also claimed he had no taxable US income, and that IRS form that he was required to fill in relation to the issue was 'absolutely the wrong form for me to file.'
Snipes warned that the government's 'illegal collection action' would result in 'significant personal liability' and that 'pursuit of such a high profile target will open the door of your increased collateral risk.'
Further reading:
Prosecutors show evidence that Snipes hates the IRS
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