Wesley Snipes To Face Sentencing For Misdemeanor Tax Convictions

April 24, 2008 8:23 a.m. EST

Orlando, FL (CNS) - Action star Wesley Snipes is ready to face sentencing Thursday for three misdemeanor tax convictions.

According to newsday.com, prosecutors are gunning for the maximum penalty for Snipes, which is three years in prison and a fine of at least $5 million saying he is 'notorious" in evading proper tax filing and should be made an example.

Snipes' lawyers are only asking for probation, as he was only found guilty by the jury in misdemeanor tax frauds. Included in the memorandum filed by the defense in behalf of their client were letters from friends attesting to Snipes' good character including fellow actors Woody Harrelson and Denzel Washington.

Last February, Snipes was convicted by a jury of willfully failing to file tax returns for the years 1999, 2000 and 2001, to which he owes the government $2.7 million in back taxes.

He was also acquitted in five of the eight charges filed by IRS, including felony fraud and conspiracy charges.