This just in: Wesley Snipes was sentenced to three years in prison and fined up to $5 million for evading federal income taxes. Snipes was given the maximum penalty under the law. From the government's sentencing recommendation: "The fact that Snipes was acquitted on two felony charges and convicted 'only' on three misdemeanor counts has been portrayed in the mainstream media as a 'victory' for Snipes. The troubling implication of such coverage for the millions of average citizens who are aware of this case is that the rich and famous Wesley Snipes has 'gotten away with it.' In the end the criminal conduct of Snipes must not be seen in such a light."The ruling comes despite the fact that fellow actors like Woody Harrelson and Denzel Washington sent letters to the judge on behalf of Snipes. I imagine the judge briefly entertained the thought of letting Snipes off the hook based on the fact that he really liked The Great Debaters, but then came to his senses and did the right thing. Personally, I have nothing against Snipes (except for the fact that he's made me suffer through so many bad films), but if he doesn't file taxes for three years and tries to be all shady about things, while the rest of us do what we have to do, then he deserves some kind of punishment. Perhaps he can use these three years in prison to help train for Blade 4.
Thoughts? Should he get three years for not paying taxes, or is there a more fair punishment?
