Irwin Shiff in JAIL

Has anyone herad of anything new in the news on this and what is the status, i imagine he is going to appeal, but being sentenced not for tax code but for willfill failure to file.13 years!!!

[Lawyerdude]

Anti-tax author sentenced in Las Vegas to 13 years in prison
By KEN RITTER
Associated Press Writer

February 24, 2006, 6:33 PM EST

LAS VEGAS -- Anti-tax crusader and author Irwin Schiff was sentenced Friday to more than 13 years in federal prison for advising people that no U.S. law required them to pay income tax.

Schiff, 78, remained defiant, declaring his innocence and accusing what he called a "fascist" government of stifling the truth. His lawyer pleaded for leniency, arguing that Schiff was mentally ill.

U.S. District Court Judge Kent Dawson said he was convinced Schiff knew what he was doing when he cast a "calculated and strategic" net using radio shows, seminars and advertisements to induce customers to buy his books and tax advice.

"It was a search for riches, and he had full control over his facilities, at least for the purpose of the violations that occurred," the judge said.

Federal prosecutors had estimated 4,000 people filed so-called "zero" tax returns that Schiff espoused, costing the federal treasury about $57 million since 1999.

Dawson recalled Schiff's earlier boast from the witness stand that he helped thousands of followers avoid paying $2 billion in taxes, and used it against him.

"Thousands of tax returns; millions and maybe billions of dollars lost," the judge said, branding Schiff and his Las Vegas company, Freedom Books, "a flimflam operation" that encouraged others to engage in a fraudulent tax evasion scheme.

"He took their money and left them holding the bag," the judge said. "Of all those who have participated in this scheme, only he made money. He made lots of money."

The judge picked the harshest sentence recommended in a federal pretrial report, 151 months, and added 12 months for contempt of court after ruling that Schiff improperly tried to influence the jury while serving as his own lawyer at trial.

Schiff was sanctioned 15 times during the five-week trial for what the judge called "false statements concerning the law to the jury."

Schiff was unbowed Friday.

"There is no law that made me liable. There is no law that required me to pay the tax," he declared.

The judge also sentenced Schiff to three years probation and ordered him to pay more than $4.2 million in restitution.

He was convicted of 13 conspiracy, tax evasion and tax fraud charges, and could have faced up to 43 years in prison.

The judge noted that Schiff was convicted twice before of failure to file income taxes. He served about four years in prison on a 1986 conviction.

Schiff was represented at sentencing by Chicago-based lawyer Michael Nash, who promised to appeal. Nash said two psychologists and a psychiatrist diagnosed Schiff with suicidal depression, bipolar mental disorder, paranoia and delusions that made him believe paying taxes was voluntary.

Two Schiff associates _ Cynthia Neun and Lawrence Cohen _ also have been sentenced to prison in the case.

Neun, 52, was sentenced Thursday to 68 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $1.1 million in restitution plus back taxes, interest and penalties. She was found guilty of 15 charges, including tax evasion and helping to file fraudulent tax returns.

Cohen, 65, was sentenced Feb. 3 to 33 months in prison on one conviction for aiding the filing of fraudulent tax returns.

Dawson said Schiff, who has family in New York and Connecticut, could serve his sentence at a federal prison in Danbury, Conn.

[rottweiler]

Income is a corporate profit. The strawman, IRWIN SCHIFF is a corp, it owed the tax. I know IRWIN SCHIFF posted a bond to trade in the big statute staple town of the USA because I remember him talking about collecting social security. IRWIN SCHIFF was charged and IRWIN SCHIFF refused to settle the charges. Now IRWIN will not only most likely go in warehouse for awhile, his exemption will be tapped by the USA. I love you Irwin but you goofed. What he should have done is just filed the damn returns after he was charged. He is so damned stubborn, he never learned about the strawman, God knows people like George Gordon tried to help him. I know he has been smart enough to know the STATE would try to get at his assets if any. Heck, in 6 years he could have filed for bankruptcy. If anyone here is in danger of prison for willful failure to file just file the damn returns. They will just charge interest and penalties if you can't settle right away, no cage time.
On top of that they will be really pissed at you for not having the satisfaction of caging you.

[Scott6454]

Originally Posted by rottweiler

Income is a corporate profit. The strawman, IRWIN SCHIFF is a corp, it owed the tax. I know IRWIN SCHIFF posted a bond to trade in the big statute staple town of the USA because I remember him talking about collecting social security. IRWIN SCHIFF was charged and IRWIN SCHIFF refused to settle the charges. Now IRWIN will not only most likely go in warehouse for awhile, his exemption will be tapped by the USA. I love you Irwin but you goofed. What he should have done is just filed the damn returns after he was charged. He is so damned stubborn, he never learned about the strawman, God knows people like George Gordon tried to help him. I know he has been smart enough to know the STATE would try to get at his assets if any. Heck, in 6 years he could have filed for bankruptcy. If anyone here is in danger of prison for willful failure to file just file the damn returns. They will just charge interest and penalties if you can't settle right away, no cage time.
On top of that they will be really pissed at you for not having the satisfaction of caging you.

I have read up on the strawman theory for the good and for the bad. What do you mean Schiff never learned about the strawman theory Rottweiler? Also in your opinion what do you think of this thoery?

Scott

Anyone whom can get in contact with Mr. Schiff should inform him that if he has a Bank Account with a Signature Card involved , that Regardless of the LAW , the fine print on the back of that signature card puts him in Contract to/with the IRS!.

[charlesa6]

Riprys, welcome to the forum!

[rottweiler]

Originally Posted by Scott6454

I have read up on the strawman theory for the good and for the bad. What do you mean Schiff never learned about the strawman theory Rottweiler? Also in your opinion what do you think of this thoery?

Scott

The judge in his case would not let him make a case for lack of willfulness which was not his fault, however that being said he did not teach color of law v. common law and did not study the A/M juridiction. When the IRS seizes property they are moving in the admiralty and Schiff proposed suing in equity, going to tax court, etc. I even tried to help his old forum moderator, Jim Davies, and even sent him "AreYouLostAtC" and he basically told me it was a bunch of nonsense. Maybe he will fair better on appeal. Who am I anyway but just another researcher.

As far as the strawman theory goes, I am absolutely convinced it is not a theory.

[rottweiler]

Originally Posted by charlesa6

Riprys, welcome to the forum!

Charles, those spaghetti western have to be my favorite movies. I even liked "The Outlaw Josey Wales" even though he spit tobacco slop on that dogs head a couple times.

[powder]

Originally Posted by RiPrys

Anyone whom can get in contact with Mr. Schiff should inform him that if he has a Bank Account with a Signature Card involved , that Regardless of the LAW , the fine print on the back of that signature card puts him in Contract to/with the IRS!.

One of many reasons I REFUSE to sign bank cards.

[charlesa6]

Originally Posted by rottweiler

Charles, those spaghetti western have to be my favorite movies. I even liked "The Outlaw Josey Wales" even though he spit tobacco slop on that dogs head a couple times.

Yep!! I know. Josey! Don't you loving him , one of my favorite movies at all time.