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Snipes Indicted for Tax Fraud

Actor allegedly owes about $12 million to the government

October 17, 2006

Wesley Snipes in 'Blade: Trinity'
Wesley Snipes in 'Blade: Trinity'
Uncle Sam isn't too pleased with Wesley Snipes.

The "Blade" actor was indicted Tuesday, Oct. 17 on eight counts of tax fraud amounting to about $12 million swindled from the government in false refund claims and also failing to file tax returns for six years, report news sources.

According to the indictment that was unsealed in Tampa, Fla., Snipes paired up with the shady firm American Rights Litigators, known for its history of filing false claims in return for 20 percent of the client's refund. Snipes filed these bogus claims in 1996 and 1997. Two men, enterprise owner Eddie Ray Kahn and CPA Douglas Rosile, are also named as defendants for helping Snipes.

In addition, Snipes failed to file returns between 1999 and 2004.

There is an official warrant out for Snipes' arrest, but so far authorities believe him to be on the lam. Rosile has already turned himself in, but official say that Kahn may have fled to Panama.

Snipes faces a maximum of 16 years in prison if he's convicted on all counts.

In July, the actor was also sued by the United Talent Agency for allegedly failing to pay nearly $1.5 million in commissions for landing him roles in four films.

Snipes, 44, is also known for "New Jack City," "Jungle Fever," "White Men Can't Jump," "Rising Sun," "Demolition Man," "To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar," "Murder at 1600" and the "Blade" films.

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