Ed and Elaine Brown, the NH tax evaders, were arrested

7960 · 10-05-2007, 02:42 AM

U.S. Marshal: NH Tax Evaders Arrested

Good, those assholes.

I don't like taxes any more than the next guy, but when you try to hide $1.9M when you KNOW you owe taxes on it, and then claim "but but but, taxes aren't legal!!" then you deserve what you get.

edit: I tried changing "arrests" to "arrested" but the thread title won't change

Kytro · 10-05-2007, 02:48 AM

It more they didn't believe the government had the legal authority to do what they did. The government disagreed, and it has more power.

If I thought the government was going to hassle me for something (even if I thought I was within my legal rights), I'd hide it from them too.

7960 · 10-05-2007, 02:54 AM

Originally Posted by Kytro

It more they didn't believe the government had the legal authority to do what they did. The government disagreed, and it has more power.

If I thought the government was going to hassle me for something (even if I thought I was within my legal rights), I'd hide it from them too.

They paid income tax on the other income they had. They didn't pay it on this income (not sure why, but $1.9M probably had a lot to do with it).

And besides, if I think a speed limit is wrong, the way to fight it isn't to break the speed limit and then complain after I get caught. Just like the way to fight their "taxes are illegal" bullshit isn't to not pay and then complain after they got caught.

I hope the judge tacks on more time.

Kytro · 10-05-2007, 03:18 AM

Originally Posted by 7960

They paid income tax on the other income they had. They didn't pay it on this income (not sure why, but $1.9M probably had a lot to do with it).

Who knows why, they may have been trying to be less suspicious.

Originally Posted by 7960

And besides, if I think a speed limit is wrong, the way to fight it isn't to break the speed limit and then complain after I get caught. Just like the way to fight their "taxes are illegal" bullshit isn't to not pay and then complain after they got caught.

The difference is they believed the taxes were not only wrong, but not legal.

I certainly think they should have to repay the money (and interest), but I don't believe they should go to prison.

Originally Posted by 7960

I hope the judge tacks on more time.

Why, so you can feel satisfied that they "got taught a lesson"? In all likelihood they are only going to think this vindicates them.

Simius · 10-05-2007, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by Kytro

Who knows why, they may have been trying to be less suspicious.

The difference is they believed the taxes were not only wrong, but not legal.

I certainly think they should have to repay the money (and interest), but I don't believe they should go to prison.

Why, so you can feel satisfied that they "got taught a lesson"? In all likelihood they are only going to think this vindicates them.

If I stole $10,000 I'd not only have to pay it back, I'd have to go to prison. These people basically stole a couple hundred thousand dollars worth of tax revenue and tried to cover their tracks by paying a little bit of tax on their other income. I'm not sure what the penalty is for such egregious tax evasion... but if it involves prison time, fuck 'em.

Had they flat out said "We made X amount this year, but it is illegal for you to tax it, so take us to court" then I wouldn't think they should go to jail after they lose their lawsuit. But as it is, they got caught red handed and are claiming it is illegal to tax the money after the fact. Weaksauce.

7960 · 10-05-2007, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by Kytro

Who knows why, they may have been trying to be less suspicious.

IMO paying taxes on regular income and then all the sudden not paying taxes on $1.9M and claiming it's "because taxes are illegal" proves they knew they were supposed to pay taxes.

The difference is they believed the taxes were not only wrong, but not legal.

There's a street in my town with a 25mph speed limit. I believe that's not a legal speed limit. The way to demonstrate my belief is NOT to go 40mph and then complain when I get a ticket.

I certainly think they should have to repay the money (and interest), but I don't believe they should go to prison.

I didn't believe they should have for the original offense. I do believe they should for what they've done since.

Why, so you can feel satisfied that they "got taught a lesson"? In all likelihood they are only going to think this vindicates them.

Yes. I don't care what they think.

Originally Posted by Simius

Had they flat out said "We made X amount this year, but it is illegal for you to tax it, so take us to court" then I wouldn't think they should go to jail after they lose their lawsuit. But as it is, they got caught red handed and are claiming it is illegal to tax the money after the fact. Weaksauce.

Well said.

Stylerod · 10-05-2007, 09:36 AM

Stern interviewed Willie Nelson a little while back. He had accountants that were supposed to do all his finances. I don't remember what the accountants did with his money; stole it, gambled it or what, but all the sudden the IRS calls ole Wille and tells him he owes 16 million in taxes. Willie said he just started laughing. He said if it was 1 million he would have been so upset he would have thrown up. But 16 million was such an outrageous amount he couldn't help himself but crack up.

I guess his story was true, he got ripped off by his accountants and the IRS didn't bring charges against him. They worked with him on how to pay it. He ended up having to pay much less as well.

I have a feeling they won't be as nice to this couple.

Stylerod · 10-05-2007, 09:40 AM

Boy, they are an older couple. 5 years in prison. What a stupid thing to do. They could both end up dying in prison and never be with each other again. Idiots.

7960 · 10-05-2007, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

Boy, they are an older couple. 5 years in prison. What a stupid thing to do. They could both end up dying in prison and never be with each other again. Idiots.

stupid "put them in jail for 5 years"?
or
stupid "don't pay your taxes"?

JaJae · 10-05-2007, 10:53 AM

Brown reportedly had stockpiled 18 months' worth of food, with weapons and ammunition, and believed that there would be a Federal government takeover of “private property, utilities, health facilities and the media.” The 1994 article reported that Brown believed the militia was setting up its own "courts . . . for the purpose of taking back America."[10] The newspaper reported that Brown said he saw no way the conflict would end except in violence.[11] The paper stated: “Brown, who says he is an agnostic, admits it's easy to dismiss him as a nut.”[12]

Stylerod · 10-05-2007, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by 7960

stupid "put them in jail for 5 years"?
or
stupid "don't pay your taxes"?

Stupid "didn't pay their taxes". I mean, they are very likely going to spend their last years of life in prison. What fool puts themselves in that kind of situation?

kinggovernor · 10-05-2007, 02:50 PM

I am surprised this ended peacefully

Stylerod · 10-05-2007, 04:56 PM

Ends up the Marshall's pretended to be supporters and they were invited into the home. That was when they arrested them

Also, more charges are going to be brought up. Seems they boobie trapped the woods and have home made bombs and shit. Yeah, they are going to die in prison.

7960 · 10-05-2007, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

Ends up the Marshall's pretended to be supporters and they were invited into the home. That was when they arrested them

Did they hide in a big, wooden horse?

RMNIXON · 10-05-2007, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

Stern interviewed Willie Nelson a little while back. He had accountants that were supposed to do all his finances. I don't remember what the accountants did with his money; stole it, gambled it or what, but all the sudden the IRS calls ole Wille and tells him he owes 16 million in taxes. Willie said he just started laughing. He said if it was 1 million he would have been so upset he would have thrown up. But 16 million was such an outrageous amount he couldn't help himself but crack up.

I guess his story was true, he got ripped off by his accountants and the IRS didn't bring charges against him. They worked with him on how to pay it. He ended up having to pay much less as well.

I have a feeling they won't be as nice to this couple.

Old Willie trusted the wrong people and got burned. This happened to a lot of artists who made it big in the 60's and 70's. As long as they had a big house, many cars, free hotels, and the bills were paid they did not pay attention to how much monet they actually were making!

Kytro · 10-05-2007, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by 7960

IMO paying taxes on regular income and then all the sudden not paying taxes on $1.9M and claiming it's "because taxes are illegal" proves they knew they were supposed to pay taxes.

Well of course they knew the government wanted them to, but they does not mean they believed they had a right to.

Originally Posted by 7960

There's a street in my town with a 25mph speed limit. I believe that's not a legal speed limit. The way to demonstrate my belief is NOT to go 40mph and then complain when I get a ticket.

I'm not saying that it is, unless you then wanted to take court to prove it.

Originally Posted by 7960

I didn't believe they should have for the original offense. I do believe they should for what they've done since.

No one should go to prision unless they are a danger to society or it will help them reform, but that is just my opinion.

Kytro · 10-05-2007, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

Stupid "didn't pay their taxes". I mean, they are very likely going to spend their last years of life in prison. What fool puts themselves in that kind of situation?

One who believes the government is corrupt and it's opression must be resisted, I suppose.

I'm not saying that are right, but what if the government said no one can have guns but the police and army (saying they are the only milita) ans the SC agreed with them. I can many people resiting that.

Diesel66 · 10-05-2007, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by Kytro

One who believes the government is corrupt and it's opression must be resisted, I suppose.

I'm not saying that are right, but what if the government said no one can have guns but the police and army (saying they are the only milita) ans the SC agreed with them. I can many people resiting that.

Because that goes against the Constitution. Taxes are IN the constitution.

7960 · 10-05-2007, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by Diesel66

Because that goes against the Constitution. Taxes are IN the constitution.

He's going to say "Not legally, at least according to the Browns."

And it's a bullshit argument. Again, if they thought the tax was unconstitutional they should have fought the law BEFORE breaking it.