[wvns] Man Prefers Death to Paying Taxes
Couple Holed Up in House Over Tax Dispute
Pair Claims There Is No Law Requiring Them to Pay
By RUSSELL GOLDMAN
ABC News
(June 19) - Calling the federal agents surrounding his fortified
compound "guns for hire," a New Hampshire man convicted of tax evasion
vowed today that he and his wife would fight U.S. marshals to the
death if they tried to capture them.
"Do not under any circumstances make any attempt on this land. We will
not accept any tomfoolery by any criminal element, be it federal,
state or local," said Ed Brown in a press conference from the stoop of
his concrete-clad home in Plainfield, N.H. "We either walk out of here
free or we die."
Brown and his wife, Elaine, were sentenced in absentia in April to
serve 63 months in prison for failing to pay more than $1 million in
income tax.
The couple, however, insists that there is no law that requires
citizens to pay income tax.
"There is no law. We looked and looked," Brown told the press.
Brown and his supporters, including Randy Weaver, leader of the 1992
standoff with ATF agents at Ruby Ridge, Idaho, told the press that the
government has unlawfully tricked people into believing they have to
pay income tax, knowing full well that such a law would be
unconstitutional.
"We will defend it to the death. This is 1776 all over again. You
cannot tax someone's labor because that is slavery," Brown said.
Carrying a pistol in his waistband, Brown also insisted that he could
not receive a fair trial in a federal court because "the court system
falls under freemasonry."
"There [are] no longer any lawful courts. The Freemasons have taken
over our nation. … [Freemasons want] to take over our nation and all
nations on the planet," Brown said.
Weaver, whose son was killed by federal agents and who later received
a $100,000 settlement from the government, said he was there to
support the Browns.
"I'd rather die on my feet right here than die on my knees under this
de facto government," he said. "Bring it on."
Despite months of surveillance and reports of agents hiding in the
woods of the couple's 110-acre compound, U.S. marshals said this
morning that the Brown's Plainfield, N.H., home was not surrounded by
their officers.
U.S. Marshal Stephen Monier made an effort to starkly contrast the
actions of the Marshals with those of the ATF agents who besieged Ruby
Ridge in 1992. In addition to Weaver's son, one federal agent was
killed in that incident.
"There is no standoff and the house is not surrounded." Monier told
ABC News.com. "We have no intention of assaulting the house or
engaging in a violent confrontation."
In April, Ed and Elaine Brown were sentenced in absentia to 63 months
in prison for failing to pay more than $1 million in taxes.
Since failing to appear in court the couple has remained within the
concrete-fortified walls of their rural New Hampshire home.
Monier said the Marshals have been communicating with the couple in an
effort to get them to turn themselves over the federal authorities
without having to resort to the use of force.
"We know they have weapons and we do not want to see this escalate,"
he said.
Last week agents cut off the home's telephone, Internet and power
access. Monier said the couple most likely had generators -- possibly
solar or wind powered -- but that eventually the Browns would become
uncomfortable enough in their isolation that they would be forced to
surrender.
"They probably have generators but those will soon need fuel and need
people to fix them. We want to continue to encourage them, and make it
uncomfortable enough for them that they'll give up."
Brown said he and his wife had enough supplies to wait out the
government no matter how long it lasted. He said the couple did not
use air conditioning and could chop down trees from firewood.
Last week, Danny Riley a friend of the Browns was arrested near their
home by federal agents while walking the couple's dog.
The Marshals claim they were engaged in routine surveillance of the
property, but the Browns believe Riley thwarted a potential raid.
===
Armed Man Guilty of Tax Evasion Barricades
Himself in New Hampshire Home
Friday, January 19, 2007
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,244759,00.html
Jan. 17: Ed Brown stands barricaded in the doorway of his home, saying
he is prepared for an armed standoff in Plainfield, N.H.
CONCORD, N.H. — A man who has holed up with armed supporters in his
fortress-like house for most of his tax evasion trial was found guilty
Thursday, along with his wife, of engaging in an elaborate scheme to
avoid paying federal income taxes for a decade.
Ed Brown has said he will defend himself against capture if necessary;
U.S. marshals said they have no plan of escalating the situation.
A jury decided the Browns plotted to hide their income and avoid taxes
on Elaine Brown's income of $1.9 million between 1996 and 2003. Over
10 years, they also used $215,890 of postal money orders broken into
increments just below the reporting threshold to pay for their hilltop
compound and for Elaine Brown's dental offices.
Click here for more Crime news.
A jury also found she didn't pay adequate taxes for her practice's
employees, leading to a total of 17 felony convictions.
"I just hope this (verdict) sends a message to those who would rely on
frivolous tax theories," Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Morse said
afterward.
Ed Brown heard of the verdict in the middle of an interview with a
radio station. "The verdict is in. I can guarantee you all hell's
going to break loose," he told WNTK-FM in New London.
(Story continues below)
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He later said, "It's all bogus charges. None of these charges are lawful."
Ed Brown stayed in his wooded, 110-acre home this week. The large,
cement-walled house features a watchtower that offers 360-degree views
of the rural setting. He said the home is capable of generating enough
electricity to operate if cut off from the main grid.
"My life is destroyed, what more can I say?" Brown said when reached
for a brief phone conversation. "I lost my wife and she lost her
business."
Brown said he expected federal agents to swarm his property soon.
"Live free or die," he said, quoting Gen. John Stark and the state's
motto. "What else can I say?"
Brown and about 25 supporters said they will defend themselves against
capture if necessary. Bernie Bastian, a supporter who said he was
carrying two guns, said they would stand with their friend.
"He's here at the house, and he's not leaving of his own free will,"
Bastian said.
It's unclear how many others were carrying weapons.
"We don't like to talk about that. It's cold up here. People up here
are wearing their jackets," Bastian said.
The frenzy came up during the question of leaving Elaine Brown out on
bail pending the couple's April 24 sentencing. Judge Steven McAuliffe
reminded Brown that she was, under no circumstances, to return to the
home.
"I don't want her to barricade herself with her husband up there,"
McAuliffe said.
Brown said his way of handling the case is not hers.
"It's not in my mind-set or my character," Elaine Brown said. "I have
no intention of returning as long as he's there."
Ed Brown is in contempt of court and has violated his bail conditions,
Morse said.
"Mr. Brown has indicated he's rather die than serve a prison sentence.
... I just hope Ed decides to end this in a way that doesn't result in
harm to him or his wife or anyone else involved in bringing this
matter to justice," Morse said.
On Wednesday, Brown told reporters at his home: "If I should be killed
or imprisoned, or my wife is killed or imprisoned, or both, those
responsible will join us."
U.S. Marshal Stephen Monier said Thursday that members of his staff
continued talking by telephone with Brown, but had no plans to
confront him. It could be months before the Browns are sentenced and
marshals have to consider how to seize the Browns' assets, possibly
including their home.
Click here for more Crime news.
"We've established a good line of communication, all of our
conversations have been amicable and friendly, and that's how we
expect they will continue," Monier said.
The Browns, who were charged with conspiring to evade taxes,
conspiring to disguise large financial transactions and disguising
large transactions, maintained there was no law requiring them to pay
federal income taxes.
Elaine Brown, who earned most of the couple's income, attended
proceedings and accepted a court-appointed attorney to help her. She
considered, then rejected a plea bargain earlier this week. McAuliffe
has allowed her to stay with her son, who lives in Worcester, Mass.,
but not in her home.
She testified she had tried to work out a payment plan with the
Internal Revenue Service in the early 1990s after her tax bill
significantly exceeded her estimates one year, the Concord Monitor
reported.
She said the IRS didn't respond for months, then demanded that she pay
her bill in full, plus interest and penalties, even though she had
made payments. She said she eventually refused to pay when she later
learned of an additional fine for $3,300 and the money was seized from
her bank account.
"Some people are drawn to the anti-tax movements and the false
representation that there is no legal requirement to file and pay
taxes. Today's verdict clearly reaffirms the repeated rejection of
these arguments in the courts," IRS Special Agent Douglas Bricker said
in a statement.
On Thursday, a jury found that the couple spent $215,890 through 311
postal money orders on real estate principal. The couple purchased
four, $700 postal money orders at a time to pay their bills. By
staying under what was then a $3,000 threshold, they avoided federal
reporting and intended to keep the government guessing about their income.
The jury found the Browns must forfeit $215,000, at least part of
which must by satisfied by giving up their home or the dental
practice's offices.
Ed Brown, a retired exterminator, stayed home to protest a system he
said had already convicted him and a media he said was in search of
soundbites over truth.
"Most Americans would cower and cringe and raise their hands and
surrender like a good little slave," he said this week.
"I won't. Under no circumstances. I do not tolerate cowardliness,
oppression, bulliness, and I certainly don't tolerate a federal agency
that has absolutely zero jurisdiction in my state, never mind in my
county, in my town."
During the past few decades, Brown has claimed membership in several
anti-government and militia groups including the Constitution Rangers
of the Continental Congress of 1777, the Constitution Defense Militia
and the UnAmerican Activities Investigations Commission, which he founded.
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