Actor Wesley Snipes has been sentenced to 3 years in jail for failing to lodge tax returns.
The sentence is believed to be the maximum penalty for the offence.Judge William Hodges in sentencing said "in my mind these are series crimes, albeit misdemeanours".
Snipes lawyers argued that he was being unfairly targeted because he was famous.
Before going to court, Snipes tried to make amends to the tax offence by paying checks for $5 million, almost twice the $2.7 million owed. The court heard how the actor earned $13.8 million during the years in question.
Snipes movies include 'Blade', 'Waiting To Exhale', 'Demolition Man' and 'To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar'.
While in prison, sometime in 2009, his next movie 'Gallowman' will debut. The actor was also involved in the movie 'Brooklyn's Finest'. As that movie is only currently in pre-production, he will be most likely replaced in his role as Caz. In 'Brooklyn's Finest', Stipes was to co-star alongside Ethan Hawke and Ellen Barkin.
