Feds Corner Home Of Convicted Tax Evaders

U.S. Marshals Cut Phone, Power, Internet To N.H. Couple Who Won't Report To Prison

(CBS/AP)  Federal authorities have cut phone, power and Internet service at the fortified compound of a couple convicted of tax evasion who have refused to report to prison.

It's unclear what effect that has on Ed and Elaine Brown, who have solar and wind power generators at their 110-acre spread, where they have been holed up for months.

Authorities say they don't think the Browns' equipment is sufficient to keep the home running for long.

U.S. Marshal Steve Monier acknowledged Wednesday that waiting out the Browns could take months, but he said time was on authorities' side. He said he hoped prison would seem like an agreeable option for the Browns after a summer without air conditioning and possibly a winter without heat.

The Browns, who insist federal income tax laws are invalid, were sentenced to 5½ years in prison in April. They were also ordered to forfeit $215,890 to the government — the amount the government says the Browns purchased in small postal money orders in order to avoid paying income tax on Elaine Brown's dental practice income of $1.9 million between 1996 and 2003.

Authorities surrounded their property last week and cut its utilities this week.

"We have seized their phone and Internet service, and two days ago, we cut their power," Monier said. "It's a continuing effort to move them along to understand they need to do the right thing, and this is to surrender to us."

Monier said last week's heavy law enforcement presence was a surveillance mission. Ed Brown predicted then that authorities would try to take him by force.

But Monier said he has no interest in raiding the house or harming the Browns. He said he just wants justice served. "We are committed to ending this peacefully," he told a newspaper.

"It's unfortunate that the Browns are taking this position they have been throughout the process," Monier said. "There's been an outcome, and they need to surrender."

Monier told the Manchester Union Leader his office was flooded with telephone calls Tuesday — at one point as many as 200 an hour — after Web sites implored federal authorities to leave the couple alone and urged supporters to call the Marshals Service, the governor and sheriff.

[omega39-2009]

forthepeople, is that you?

[jwhitmann]

I HOPE THESE CORNERED PEOPLE ARE ANTI-GUN NUTS.


They're probably changing their minds on the issue right now

[jwhitmann]

I HOPE THESE CORNERED PEOPLE ARE ANTI-GUN NUTS.


They're probably changing their minds on the issue right now

[nlm2383]

If I have to pay them, they should have to... Send them to prision.

[jail4judges]

What Federal authorities "cut" the wires? U.S. Treasury Agents or Marshals? or a combination of both? One hand on each side of the tool from both divisions? No! "They" had VERIZON and Granite State Electric "shut off" the telephone and electric power. But by WHAT authority? There is no federal paperwork on file as required by NH RSA Ch. 123:1. This is what Ed told the judge and jury, but which evidence by way of certificate was REFUSED by judge to be marked as an exhibit for them to weigh into their verdict. It was an illegal trial and IS an illegal conviction!

[jail4judges]

What Federal authorities "cut" the wires? U.S. Treasury Agents or Marshals? or a combination of both? One hand on each side of the tool from both divisions? No! "They" had VERIZON and Granite State Electric "shut off" the telephone and electric power. But by WHAT authority? There is no federal paperwork on file as required by NH RSA Ch. 123:1. This is what Ed told the judge and jury, but which evidence by way of certificate was REFUSED by judge to be marked as an exhibit for them to weigh into their verdict. It was an illegal trial and IS an illegal conviction!

[rolemodel77]

It is amazing to me how people CLAIM to be in the right because there is a technicality or a loop hole.

Society is based on people paying their fair share for general emergency services and government to exist. No government is perfect. If they think they can do it better surely they can afford an island where they can institute a no-tax government of their own.

I am so sick of people showing our youth that consequences can be avoided by finding the right loophole.

A country cannot be the best if only a small percentage of people are fighting for it to be the best.

This couple is not fighting on principle. They are calling themselves victims because they are selfish. A percentage of their money just so happens COULD make a difference to those on waiting lists for those emergency services we all pay into and eventually need.

Selfish people bankrupt a society and government coffers.

[harp1963]

It's funny how the rich don't want to pay taxes. Then they use their media outlets to stir up the middle and lower classes who are taxed to death to compensate for the top 1% being barely taxed. As far as I'm concerned, these people are white collar criminals and should go to jail.

[isthatso-2009]

Again another example of special treatment for the rich. If there was a convicted drug felon holed up in an apartment in Detroit, they would simply bash the door down and arrest them. If the person resisted arrest, they would be either tazered or shot. End of story. I for one am sick and tired of this special treatment of rich people. Again, the great divide between the "have so much" and the "have so little" continues to increase in is obscene size. Oh, and no, I am in the dwindling "middle class" who gets shafted with the highest tax burden and I pay mine.

[gunownerdan]

Everyone who cares about freedom and liberty should watch the movie "AMERICA: From Freedom To Fascism".

[ralan40]

It's funny how the rich don't want to pay taxes. Then they use their media outlets to stir up the middle and lower classes who are taxed to death to compensate for the top 1% being barely taxed. As far as I'm concerned, these people are white collar criminals and should go to jail.
Posted by harp1963 at 12:20 PM : Jun 14, 2007

...don't forget about wesley snipes...oh wait...that would be a 'black-collar' crime, wouldn't it?

I think removing the income cap limit on Social Security contibutions would go a long way towards evening out the playing field.

[batbird1]

The rich want even less taxes than Bush has cut for them. This couple has shown that greed is why a free market economy cannot exist. There must be a tax base to care for our nation's poor and elderly and provide other necessary services. Taxes should be raised, not cut, especially during this time of the occupation of Iraq. I'm glad they are facing jail time. I pay my taxes without complaint.

[lyfizgood]

The rich are way out numbered by the lower and middle class. If you want tax reform, fight for it, demand it from your legislators and keep demanding it. Otherwise, nothing will change.

[gunnerv1]

Aw, I was hopeing for another WACO, bring J. Reno out of retirement and kill anything that moves. The liberals will get their tax money anyway they can.

[isthatso-2009]

These people are disgusting. They claim they are patriots as a defense for their willful deceit and failure to pay taxes like the rest of us. Nothing could be further from the truth. They deserve to be in prison and when they are finished there, they should be deported to any other country in the world. They don't deserve to live here with REAL Americans. Just some more rich people who feel that they don't have to conform to the rules of our society. Enjoy prison!

[cathaleen]

One word, rediculous!

[hypnotoad72]

Solar and wind power, eh? Must be lib'ruls! :rotflmao:

Let it be peaceful. We're all supposed to pay our part in taxes. Once they walk or tunnel out to get more food, capture them. Jail 'em for life. And not for $1000/day like they are little Paris... or offshore her and them to another country's jail if it costs that much to do.

[mswolfestock]

Let me get this straight: This couple was convicted of income tax evasion because they refused to pay their taxes. So now the government is going to spend MORE of our tax dollars sitting around waiting for them to "surrender?" I'm sorry, but I think they ought to be shot right now BECAUSE IT WOULD WASTE LESS OF THE TAXES THAT ALL OF US POOR SLOBS PAY BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO GO TO JAIL. I'd kill them myself if the government would give me a tax break. The government needs to make an example out of these chumps - I'm sick and tired of the rich bleeding all of us dry because they're greedy. Then MORE of our taxes will be spent to keep these greedy b*****ds in a comfy, cozy jail. It was just announced that the death penalty might actually deter potential killers; why can't we use the threat of death to deter tax cheaters? They can't spend their money if they're dead, and they know they can't take it with them. I say KILL THEM ALL. IT'S THE MOST FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE THING WE COULD DO.

[sandy19731]

One word, rediculous!
Posted by cathaleen at 01:03 PM : Jun 14, 2007

Or as some of us spell it,
ridiculous!

Pay your taxes, I pay mine. Who supports these law breakers? Total idiots, that's who.

[cepe10-2009]

More right-wing fanatics.... arrest them already...

[jwhitmann]

I HOPE THESE CORNERED PEOPLE ARE ANTI-GUN NUTS.


They're probably changing their minds on the issue right now.

[jwhitmann]

I HOPE THESE CORNERED PEOPLE ARE ANTI-GUN NUTS.


They're probably changing their minds on the issue right now.

[nothappyatall]

"We are committed to ending this peacefully."
U.S. Marshal Steve Monier "


Ahem, yeah, like Waco, Branch Dividians, who else hmmm?

" who have solar and wind power generators at their 110-acre spread, where they have been holed up for months."

"Authorities say they don't think the Browns' equipment is sufficient to keep the home running for long."

"He said he hoped prison would seem like an agreeable option for the Browns after a summer without air conditioning and possibly a winter without heat."

LOL, well, they may be surprised, that's number one, number two- people before 1900 didnt HAVE air conditioning, it wasn't invented yet and people lived just fine without air conditiong, phone, OR electric which wasn't invented till the mid 1800's

[susanhelit]

I think I know why they're being so gentle with these idiots - they've got all the hallmarks of extremist conservative anti-government types. They think they shouldn't have to pay taxes, like to be self-sufficient (wind power - a key sign) and have plenty of guns, since they want anarchy and no government, they plan to be free of the government (while still enjoying the protections of our soldiers, and our cops preventing a mob of hungry people from stealling that money they don't want to pay in taxes).

If they are that type, they'll have a ton of guns, apocalyptic dreams of fighting off a horde of government agents, and a near suicidal dream of that happening. So, in some ways, better to starve them out. Kick back and wait for them to get tired of no power, no communications, and losing their business that funded all of this.

[fizzal-2009]

Maybee they are waiting for you too pay back your Easter and Christmass holiday pay interset and customary fine and you might as well throw in you memorial weekend holiday pay because on a visit too the cemetary not all the veterans got a decoration on their grave, but wait we all know Santa Clause realy shows up at April 15th.

[incog-nito]

People who complain about this costing the gov't more to keep them in prison than to leave them alone, are apparently not very good at thinking.

Yes it will cost a lot of money to put them prison, but not doing so will encourage thousands or millions others not to pay their taxes, and end up costing the gov't much more.

Federal authorities have cut phone, power and Internet service

People years ago lived without power, phone and internet access.......they could be in for a very long wait

[infidel_us]

"but not doing so will encourage thousands or millions others not to pay their taxes, and end up costing the gov't much more."

That sounds like an EXCELLENT idea......the 2nd American Revolution.....not a shot fired. We need to do something to get our country back from these lousy, inept politicians!

[gunownerdan]

Simply ask the IRS to show you the law that says the average American citizen must pay a tax on their income.
They won't do it!
Never trust the government, Germans trusted their government in the 1930's and we should all know what happened there.

[infidel_us]

"Federal authorities have cut phone, power and Internet service"

It's cruel and unusual punishment, I tells ya!!!! Where's the ACLU???? It's TORTURE!!!! They are TORTURING American citizens!!!!!!

[fascistusa]

You now get to see who the biggest Gangster in America is -

OUR FASCIST GOVERNMENT.

Every word spoken by the Police is a LIE. Don't support the Fascist Government? Go to jail. Don't go to jail? You get killed. Wacked.

We are all SLAVES in America. The Land of the "Free". Nazi America.

[wiredwilly]

Read " The Creature Form Jekyll Island " by G. Edward Griffin. Interesting perspective on this sort of thing.

[passerby2]

they should either pay the money or go to jail, not both. Has anyone been hurt by them not paying their tax. Why should they have to sit in jail for 5 years and pay the money, that' just ot fair or just. It's either pay or jail.

[prinzowhales]

SusanHelit--Who are 'our soldiers protecting'? They are busy occupying Iraq. The border is open.

Mr. Brown said he would write the feds a check for the entire amount--if they would SHOW HIM THE LAW THAT SAYS HE HAS TO FILE A TAX RETURN-- neither the black-robed ambulance chaser on the federal bench, nor the minions of the IRS would do so. Why?

While they are surrounding his home, the Washington Regime is calling for tax amnesty for the illegals, amnesty for drug gang members, amnesty for child rapists and other felons.

If you think the government is going to 'protect' you, you must have missed the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, where FEMA cut emergency phone lines and soldiers conducted gun seizure operations in virtually unaffected neighborhoods as well as preventing the entry of supplies into the area.

[forthepeopl1]

time to take up ARMS and take them all out.

EVERYONE THAT WANTS TO HELP WITH THIS SHOULD BE TALKING TO ALL MEDIA OUTLETS AND TELLING THEM THAT AMERICANS ARE READY TO TAKE WASHINGTON ON AND ITS NOT A FEW AMERICANS ITMILLIONS OF AMERICANS THAT WILL TAKE BACK THERE COUNTRY..

I AM WILLING TO GIVE MY BLOOD FOR ALL AMERICANS TO GET OUR COUNTRY BACK TO WHAT OUR FORFATHERS WANTED.

AM A VET AND AM READY TO TAKE CHARGE OF THIS AMERICAN BOYCOT/COOP IF WE THE PEOPLE DONT DO THIS NOW WE WILL BE GIVENING UP ON OUR CONSTITUTION AND WHAT ALL OUR VET HAVE DIED FOR..

DAVID A BELANGER,VET US ARMY,[e-mail]

ok so wants to join in on this great american REVOLUTION


they cant kill millions of americans at once so if we charge them all at once we will win and take them out and hang them all..

just like in the old days of the west...hang them from the trees in front of the whitehouse and see how many start telling the truth about what they have done to all us americans..


if the american NOW dont stand up and start a NATIONAL REVOUTION ON THIS WASHINGTON BULL S/H/I/T/ THEN we as TRUE AMERICANS can say nothing!!!

its time to take all this *** and take our government back now..

they are the ones that started this and we will finnish it now..we the people will take our country back and everyone in washington can sit there and thinks we the people are ok with what they are doing..go ahead and let them think that we are comming to take them out

[tuckerndfw]

The federal income tax is voluntary.

Of course, the penalty for refusing to volunteer can be fairly severe.

If these people do not surrender and voluatarily pay their taxes, the government will murder them.

Volunteer appears to mean something far different in government speak than it does to normal people. Kind of like using the word "volunteer" to describe soldiers who receive pay & benefits. They should be called "employees," not "volunteers."

[lorinkundert]

The tax laws are valid, but they are fraudulently misapplied against citizens who do not meet the statutory definition of "Employee" Educate yourself and read "Cracking The Code" and "Upholding The Law"

[tuckerndfw]

We are all SLAVES in America. The Land of the "Free". Nazi America.


Posted by fascistusa at 01:47 PM : Jun 14, 2007

We are indeed.

And, the darkly humorous part is that Americans enslaved themselves.

The government owns everything in the US, including our lives. Those who claim we are free have a very limited view of freedom.

Prisoners are free to wander around their cells as much as they want. And, that is the type of "freedom" Americans have.

And, like prisoners, some of us are more free than others, but no one is totally free from government intrusion.

[vote4ronpaul]

Watch AMERICA: FREEDOM TO FASCISM. Aaron Russo does a great job on exploring the 'supposed' US income tax law, and explaining that it DOESN'T even exist!!!!

VOTE FOR RON PAUL in 2008! www.ronpaul2008.com
"He's your only hope"
- Princess Leia

[vote4ronpaul]

Watch AMERICA: FREEDOM TO FASCISM. Aaron Russo does a great job on exploring the 'supposed' US income tax law, and explaining that it DOESN'T even exist!!!!

VOTE FOR RON PAUL in 2008! www.ronpaul2008.com
"He's your only hope"
- Princess Leia

[miketill1-2009]

Of course tax evasion will get you shot. drowning your kids is ok, shooting your husband in the back is ok, grown women having relations with little boys is ok and as long as you are a wimpy guy you can molest little boys. but dont say revolution or you become a terrorist and then you can be shot.

our entire goverment is corrupt and disgusting. taxes are disgusting and anybody who thinks rich people get a break and the poor middle class pays too much is brain dead. buy a calculator.

we wont fix this, every adult in this country will die one day and when we do, this embarassment we call a government will still be here.

[lorinkundert]

For those of you on the fence regarding tax laws consider this: Several years ago an add in USA Today was placed offering a $50,000 reward to anyone who could show the law that makes most Americans working in the private sector liable for income tax. Guess what? no one has ever collected that reward including IRS officials.

[ov442]

Middle class incomes and lower dont pay that much in taxes either federal or state. We pay more in healthcare for our families, in the form of premiums, copays and items not covered, we pay more for general living costs like utilities, and transportation to companies that are using their positions to keep us citizens over a barrel with no choice.

I would think you people would be more pis_ed off about that then some minor taxes you pay for national defense and keeping the sick and elderly barely scraping by.

Course since huge amounts of our taxes go to the Energy companies and bribes, im not happy about the waste and fraud going on.

[jwhitmann]

And, like prisoners, some of us are more free than others, but no one is totally free from government intrusion.
POSTED by TUCKERNDFW at 02:24 PM : Jun 14, 2007


THANK YOU,
your statement is exactly why I hate the Democrat Party.

All liberals want to do is have Big Government get bigger.
(nationalizing health care, energy, education, etc.)

THANK YOU, tuckerfdnw

[iron572]

I see this topic has brought out all the Libertarian wackos.

[prinzowhales]

If any of you like paying taxes so that Halliburton can get $99 a bag to do soldier's laundry in Iraq, form your own little mercenary group and tax yourselves to pay for it--and pass a draft so you'll have someone's laundry to do while you are serving the interests of Big Oil and Israel.

And, show us the law that says you must file and that overturns the legal definition of income.

[jjarden]

Here we go again...Ruby Ridge & Waco Redux. Government has a "legal" monopoly to inflict Violence and Torture on it's Non-Violent "Citizens." This is also known as Totalitarianism and Tyranny.

[tuckerndfw]

Posted by jwhitmann at 02:38 PM : Jun 14, 2007

There is no difference between Dems & Repubs.

They are both controlled by slave owners. The only difference between the two is how they go about exempting slave owners from the law while ensuring slaves are provided with amusement or other diversions so they do not rebel against their owners.

Dems & Repubs both harshly punish disobedient, rebellious slaves and exempt slave owners from any known laws.

Anyone who supports either political party supports slavery. Tragic that there are so many incredibly stupid people who seriously believe there is any real difference between the two parties.

[lochlan-2009]

If I were to come to your house or business (as the mob used to do) and say to you, "give me (tens of thousands) of dollars so I can protect you. If you don't I'll rough you up, kidnap you and lock you in a room for years." What would I be charged with?

That's right, extortion.

[omega39-2009]

Simply ask the IRS to show you the law that says the average American citizen must pay a tax on their income.
They won't do it!
Posted by GunOwnerDan

There was a time when tariffs on trade supplied all the income necessary for the operation of the government. If we brought those back though, how would the cheap labor, outsourcing CEOs sleep at night?