Posted on 01/19/2007 6:13:29 AM PST by PissAndVinegar
CONCORD, N.H. — A man who has holed up with armed supporters in his fortress-like house for most of his tax evasion trial was found guilty Thursday, along with his wife, of engaging in an elaborate scheme to avoid paying federal income taxes for a decade.
Ed Brown has said he will defend himself against capture if necessary; U.S. marshals said they have no plan of escalating the situation.
A jury decided the Browns plotted to hide their income and avoid taxes on Elaine Brown's income of $1.9 million between 1996 and 2003. Over 10 years, they also used $215,890 of postal money orders broken into increments just below the reporting threshold to pay for their hilltop compound and for Elaine Brown's dental offices.
.... On Thursday, a jury found that the couple spent $215,890 through 311 postal money orders on real estate principal. The couple purchased four, $700 postal money orders at a time to pay their bills. By staying under what was then a $3,000 threshold, they avoided federal reporting and intended to keep the government guessing about their income. .... "Most Americans would cower and cringe and raise their hands and surrender like a good little slave," he said this week.
"I won't. Under no circumstances. I do not tolerate cowardliness, oppression, bulliness, and I certainly don't tolerate a federal agency that has absolutely zero jurisdiction in my state, never mind in my county, in my town."
During the past few decades, Brown has claimed membership in several anti-government and militia groups including the Constitution Rangers of the Continental Congress of 1777, the Constitution Defense Militia and the UnAmerican Activities Investigations Commission, which he founded.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I support him!
If he's so unhappy here in America, why not leave for someplace sooo much better.
He should put some speakers on that tower, play calls to prayers 5 times a day and change his name to mohammad. Then they leave him alsone.
I've read that there are over 30 gyms in the DC area just for our representatives and their staff. Federal tax money was spent building bike paths through exclusive neighborhoods in Seattle and San Francisco that most of us will never use. Federal tax money went to buy city buses for Atlanta and rename over 100 federal buildings last year. Every time our representatives declare some stupid holiday, like "world population day" it costs taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars with no return on investment.
I don't mind spending money on defense or highway infrastructure, but a lot of this spending should be criminal.
The foundation for their arguments seems to be upon the original income tax amendment, {The 16th amendment} and how it was never fully ratified.
I do, too, but I don't have much hope for a good ending to this.
Depends upon what you consider to be a "good" ending.
(Yes, this comment is purposefully ambiguous)
Or hang a sign outside his house that says "Free Abortions."
Making it out alive.
Where's Janet Reno when you need her.
That may not be his plan.
Did you even read the article? He started organizations he feels would help make the USA a better place, he believes in states rights, the constitution...not just bailing out.
He's a patriot, even if misguided and not making smart choices.
Your not one of those people who are going to start that "If a Dem is president in 08, I'm moving to Canada" crud, are you?
Those with fortitude don't bail out on a state / country / people you love. You fight to make it better, you stand up for what's right not just cut and run cause they don't like the way it is.
agreed - it sound like he's trying to martyr himself for this which will solve nothing. He's standing up but not in the best way...
Yup. The sheeple aren't quite ready for this level of resistance yet.
Loserdopian
I agree completely. See my tag line for further info.
Carolyn
He did no such thing. Basically, he attempted to use long-discredited arguments regarding the income tax's alleged unconstitutionality, and then proceeded to engage in money laundering.
Which federal programs do you feel are necessary?
98% of the federal government operates without any Constitutional authority...we should all refuse to turn over our income to what is mostly an illegitimate government. "His end of the deal"?
Did you reach some deal with the feds whereby you agreed to turn over 30 or 40% of your income? I sure didn't
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.