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Supreme Court Refuses To Hear Wesley Snipes' Appeal

The actor continues his three-year bid.


It appears that Wesley Snipes will have to wait a bit longer for freedom. The Supreme Court has refused to hear the appeal of the "New Jack City" actor  over his federal conviction on tax evasion charges.


The justices' brief order came on Monday, stipulating that Snipes will continue serving a three-year term in prison, according to CNN.


Following his misdemeanor convictions for failing to file tax returns in 1999, 2000 and 2001, the actor appealed the decision. He was previously acquitted of felony charges.


Despite having to turn himself in to the medium-security McKean Federal Correctional Institution in Lewis Run, Pennsylvania to begin his sentence late last year, the man who made the character Nino Brown famous believed he might win his appeal.


"We still have prayers out there. We still believe in miracles. So don't send me up the river yet," Snipes said on CNN's "Larry King Live." "I think any man would be nervous if his liberty is at stake. I'm disappointed that the system seems not to be working for me in this situation."


According to prosecutors, Snipes had earned $40 million since 1999 but failed to file any tax returns and had been involved in a tax resisters group. The actor denied involvement and attributed his failure to file to his tax advisor. 


Snipes was convicted on the misdemeanor charges in February 2010 but he was acquitted of more serious felony charges of tax fraud and conspiracy. Jurors believed his argument of being led astray by unprofessional accountants.


There was no comment from Snipes at press time.

(Photo: Ben Rose/PictureGroup)

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