Popsquire

Richard Hatch says he and many others have been abused by the system and hints that he has “ideas” for future projects.  Maybe he can collaborate with Jon Gosselin.

Technorati Tags: jail, jon gosselin, matt lauer, richard hatch, solitary confinement, Taxes, today show

For today’s reality tv collision between pop culture and law, watch this interview with Richard Hatch.  He discusses tax evasion, jail, and sexual orientation discrimination.

Technorati Tags: appeal, pop culture law, richard hatch, richard hatch house arrest, survivor, tax evasion

Survivor winner, Richard Hatch, wants to be Wesley Snipes.

Well, not really, but they have more in common than you’d think.  Both were convicted for failing to pay taxes and sentenced to prison.  Snipes received a three year sentence, but he appealed and hasn’t started his prison term yet.  Hatch was sentenced to four years, three months in prison and is finishing out his last few months on home confinement in Rhode Island.

In July 2008, a court granted Snipes’ request to travel to Thailand and England to film movies.  Now, Hatch wants a court to let him participate in the 10th anniversary edition of Survivor in Samoa in order to help pay the $400,000 he still owes the IRS.

But, here’s the hitch for Hatch.  He’d have to leave home confinement early to participate in the show.  As expected, government attorneys oppose the request, arguing that if he leaves the country, he will not return and definitely won’t pay the IRS.

Let him go! Not only will this make great TV, but it’s a chance to let him pay back the money.  The taxpayers could use it!

Celebrity life can be very taxing…especially if you don’t pay them!  Below is a Popsquire’s 2008 Top 5 Celebrity Tax Evaders.  Enjoy!

5. IRS vs. Papa Williams: Michelle Williams’ dad may be sent up the Creek! (Read more)

4. IRS vs. Castroneves: Helio Castroneves will be Dancing With The Jurors in 2009.  (Read more)

3. Melissa Etheridge vs. Civil Disobedience: Fans may have to go to Melissa’s jailhouse window if she doesn’t pay taxes.  (Watch Popsquire discuss on CNN)

2. IRS. Richard Hatch: The former Survivor winner is a loser.  (Read more)

1. IRS vs. Wesley Snipes: Popsquire is confident that feds can find Wesley Snipes in Thailand. (Read more)

[Anderson / Vila / Bauer-Griffin]

Technorati Tags: celebrity tax evasion, civil disobedience, helio castroneves, melissa etheridge, michelle williams' dad tax problems, pop culture law, richard hatch, survivor cbs, tax laws, wesley snipes, Year In Review

Michelle Williams’ dad may be sent up the Creek!

After a two-and-a-half-year legal battle, Michelle’s estranged father Larry Williams has agreed to being extradited from Australia to the U.S. to face federal tax-evasion charges.  He allegedly failed to pay approximately $1.5 million in taxes between 1999 and 2001 on income from book royalties and international speaking tours.

He was arrested by Australian police in 2006, but he’s been fighting extradition (while free on bail) ever since.  Popsquire will keep you posted on Larry’s climb up the Brokebank Mountain…

Technorati Tags: Add new tag, celebrities and law, extradited, extradition, larry williams, michelle williams' dad, pop culture law, tax evasion

Helio Castroneves will be Dancing With The Jurors in 2009!

A federal court in Miami set the tax evasion trial of the former DWTS winner and two-time Indy 500 champ for March 2.  As a reminder, the 33-year-old pleaded not guilty to tax fraud last month, after being indicted for failing to pay taxes on more than $5 million in income over a four-year period.

Technorati Tags: celebrities and law, conspiracy, dancing with the stars, helio castroneves, indictment, pop culture law, tax evasion, trial date

In civil disobedience collision between pop culture and law, Melissa Etheridge threatens not to pay her taxes!

Melissa is ranting about Prop 8 in a blog entry.  With clear anger and frustration, she writes:

“Okay, so I am taking that to mean I do not have to pay my state taxes because I am not a full citizen. I mean that would just be wrong, to make someone pay taxes and not give them the same rights, sounds sort of like that taxation without representation thing from the history books.”

“Oh and too bad California, I know you were looking forward to the revenue from all of those extra marriages. I guess you will have to find some other way to get out of the budget trouble you are in.”

Click here to read the entire post.  And, of course, Popsquire will keep you posted when Melissa is thrown in jail for not paying taxes.

Technorati Tags: celebrities and law, civil disobedience, melissa ethridge, pop culture law, prop 8, Taxes

Just like Popsquire predicted back in June, former Survivor winner Richard Hatch is a loser!

The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to entertain Hatch’s appeal to overturn his 2006 conviction for failing to pay taxes on the $1 million prize he won on the show’s 2000 debut season.   Hatch currently is serving time as part of his 51-month sentence and now will have to finish out the sentence behind bars.

PS: Don’t forget to watch tonight’s episode of Survivor: Gabon.  Charlie, a Popsquire follower and attorney, is still hanging in there!

Technorati Tags: appeal, celebrities and law, pop culture law, richard hatch, survivor, tax conviction, tax evasion, US supreme court

It’s a taxing day for Helio Castroneves…

He just “tearfully pleaded” not guilty to tax fraud in a Florida federal court, according to TMZ.   After being escorted into court in cuffs and shackles, the court ordered him to turn in his passport and restricted him from leaving the country.  Bail was set at $10 million, $8 mil of which reportedly will come from Helio’s accounts in the Netherlands.

Helio’s lawyer and sister, both of whom have been implicated in the indictment, also were in court.  If convicted, each of them could serve up to 35 years in federal prison.

Popsquire will keep you posted!

Technorati Tags: celebrities and law, dancing with the stars, helio castroneves, IRS, passport, pop culture law, tax fraud, Taxes

Helio Castrovenes is Dancing With The Feds!

The 33-year-old DWTS champ has been indicted for failing to pay taxes on more than $5 million in income over a four-year period, according to the Miami Herald.  His sister, Kati Castroneves, and his lawyer, Alan Miller, are accused of assisting him in the alleged tax-evasion conspiracy.  All three are expected in federal court tomorrow morning.

Related Popsquire Posts:

Wesley Snipes’ Tax Troubles

Richard Hatch’s Tax Troubles

Technorati Tags: alan miller, celebrities and law, dancing with the stars, helio castronevers, indictment, IRS, julianne hough, kati castroneves, pop culture law, tax evasion

A federal judge obviously took Popsquire’s advice and granted Wesley Snipes’ request to travel to Thailand and England to film movies, while defense lawyers appeal his tax evasion conviction.

Prosecutors argued that Snipes is a flight risk because his “motivation to return to the United States has changed drastically” with a 36-month prison sentence hanging over his head for failing to file federal tax returns for 1999, 2000 and 2001 when he earned more than $13 million.

Popsquire’s perspective…

Good decision, Judge!  Wesley Snipes is very famous and would be quite easy to find, especially in Thailand.

In support of good judicial decisions, let’s D.A.N.C.E. to this Justice song!

Technorati Tags: appeal, conviction, england, flight risk, law, pop culture, tax evasion, Taxes, thailand, wesley snipes

On the heels of a recent request by the U.S. Attorney’s office to place Wesley Snipes in custody pending the appeal of his tax evasion conviction, Snipes’ attorneys are now asking the court to let him leave the country.

According to the AP, Snipes wants to work on two films, “Gallowwalker” and “Chasing the Dragon,” in London and in Bangkok, Thailand, respectively.

Popsquire’s perspective…

So long as Snipes will use the money to pay back taxes, let him go! He’s a very recognizable celebrity, so it’s unlikely he can hide from the law, especially in Thailand.

Technorati Tags: chasing the dragon, gallowwalker, law, pop culture, tax evasion, tax fraud, thailand, wesley snipes

The U.S. Attorney’s Office wants Wesley Snipes behind bars!

The feds filed a motion Thursday with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit to appeal a U.S. district judge’s May 22 decision allowing Wesley to remain free on bond while he appeals his three-year sentence for tax fraud. It likely will take weeks, if not months, for the court to hear arguments and make a decision.

Popsquire’s perspective…

If he’s not a flight risk, then just leave Wesley alone while he is appealing the conviction. Why should tax payers foot the bill for him to live in jail when an appellate court might invalidate the sentence anyway?

Plus, isn’t it more important that he pays what he owes instead of serving jail time? It seems like having to fork over millions of dollars is punishment enough

Technorati Tags: blade, law, pop culture, tax evasion, tax fraud, wesley snipes

The government is asking the judge to make Wesley Snipes pay for the “cost of prosecution” in the tax evasion case that resulted in Snipes’ conviction on three misdemeanor counts of failing to file a federal tax returns and possibly 36 months in federal prison, pending the outcome of an appeal.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the total bill is $217, 363. Of that, $193,716.98 is purportedly for scanning, printing and numbering documents found in 260 boxes of documents; $21,052.19 for witnesses; $2,456.40 for transcripts; and $138.18 for making certified color copies of trial exhibits.

Popsquire’s perspective…

Although this seems like a lot of money, it’s not entirely unreasonable. Unfortunately, the cost of litigation is extremely high. To review 260 boxes of documents takes mucho human power and time, which costs money.

Popsquire prediction…

The judge likely will grant the prosecution’s request for payment of fees, but the amount probably will be reduced. Judges often “split the baby,” meaning that neither side gets what it wants.

Previous Popsquire posts:

Wesley Wiggling Out Of Prison

Wesley Cannot Wiggle Out Of Taxes

Richard Hatch, the first winner of Survivor, is appealing his tax evasion conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court, according to the AP. Hatch was convicted two years ago of failing to pay taxes on the $1 million prize he won and currently is serving time as part of his 51-month sentence.

Hatch’s lawyer has argued that his client confronted producers about cheating during taping of the show, and a producer promised his taxes would be paid if he kept quiet and went on to win the competition. CBS, of course, says the claims have no merit.

Two issues:

1. It’s important to understand that Hatch’s case is not guaranteed a hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court. Anyone can file an appeal, but the Court is not required to hear the case. Instead, the Court grants review to only about 100 cases, out of more than approximately 7,000 cases filed each year.
2. Even if the Court heard his case, it seems like a loser. As soon as Hatch realized no one was paying his taxes for him, he should have paid. Duh.

In short, Popsquire thinks this case is a Loser!