Snipes sentenced to 3 years in prison

OCALA -- A federal judge sentenced Wesley Snipes today to three years in federal prison, the maximum he faced for failing to file his tax returns.

The judge also ordered that Snipes serve one year of probation but waived a fine, despite prosecutors asking that he pay one. Defense attorneys said Snipes will still pay for back taxes after a civil trial.

Eddie Ray Kahn, Snipes' tax consultant who was convicted of conspiracy and filing a false tax return, received a maximum 10-year sentence. Douglas Rosile, an accountant who prepared a fraudulent tax return for Snipes, received 54 months in prison.

Snipes spoke in court today for the first time since his prosecution and apologized for his mistakes and for disappointing his family. But not once did he mention the word "taxes."

"Even though I accept the jury's verdict, I never imagined my life would be imitating roles I played on the screen," Snipes said.

Prosecutors had charged Snipes of conspiring with Kahn and Rosile to fraudulently request about $11.4-million in IRS refunds that Snipes paid in taxes in 1996 and 1997.

Kevin Graham, Times staff writer