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Arrest warrant for actor Snipes Arrest warrant for actor Snipes
(about 8 hours later)
An arrest warrant has been issued for Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes, who is charged with dodging millions of dollars in taxes.An arrest warrant has been issued for Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes, who is charged with dodging millions of dollars in taxes.
The 44-year-old star of Demolition Man and Blade is accused of failing to file tax returns and falsely claiming nearly $12m (£6.4m) in refunds.The 44-year-old star of Demolition Man and Blade is accused of failing to file tax returns and falsely claiming nearly $12m (£6.4m) in refunds.
Prosecutors say he faces up to 16 years in jail if found guilty.Prosecutors say he faces up to 16 years in jail if found guilty.
Mr Snipes' former accountant has already surrendered to authorities, but the actor's whereabouts are unknown.Mr Snipes' former accountant has already surrendered to authorities, but the actor's whereabouts are unknown.
His spokesman was not immediately available for comment.His spokesman was not immediately available for comment.
Fraudulent returnsFraudulent returns
The charges allege Mr Snipes failed to file tax returns between 1999 and 2004, and conspired with two men to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which collects taxes in the US.The charges allege Mr Snipes failed to file tax returns between 1999 and 2004, and conspired with two men to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which collects taxes in the US.
Prosecutors say Eddie Kahn and Douglas Rosile, both from Florida, attempted to make it look like the actor had no liability for income tax.Prosecutors say Eddie Kahn and Douglas Rosile, both from Florida, attempted to make it look like the actor had no liability for income tax.
The actor has not yet been located, said US Attorney Paul PerezMr Khan's firm, American Rights Litigators, is said to have fraudulently argued that US citizens could only be taxed on income earned overseas. The actor has not yet been located, said US Attorney Paul PerezMr Kahn's firm, American Rights Litigators, is said to have fraudulently argued that US citizens could only be taxed on income earned overseas.
Mr Rosile, who was an accountant for the firm, is accused of illegally preparing tax returns for Mr Snipes on this basis.Mr Rosile, who was an accountant for the firm, is accused of illegally preparing tax returns for Mr Snipes on this basis.
He has surrendered to authorities while Mr Khan is believed to be in Panama. He has surrendered to authorities while Mr Kahn is believed to be in Panama.
Screen careerScreen career
Mr Snipes, who was born in Orlando, Florida, has been a Hollywood actor for 20 years.Mr Snipes, who was born in Orlando, Florida, has been a Hollywood actor for 20 years.
His first role was in Goldie Hawn's 1986 American football comedy, Wildcats, and he later appeared in the video for Michael Jackson's Bad, which was directed by Martin Scorsese.His first role was in Goldie Hawn's 1986 American football comedy, Wildcats, and he later appeared in the video for Michael Jackson's Bad, which was directed by Martin Scorsese.
The actor also appeared in hit films such as White Men Can't Jump, New Jack City and the Blade trilogy.The actor also appeared in hit films such as White Men Can't Jump, New Jack City and the Blade trilogy.
Later this year, he is due to start filming an historical epic based on the life of Haitian military leader Toussaint L'Ouverture.Later this year, he is due to start filming an historical epic based on the life of Haitian military leader Toussaint L'Ouverture.