Hovind tax trial resumes
http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061030/NEWS01/61029007/1006
Published - October, 30, 2006
Hovind tax trial resumes
Nicole Lozare
nlozare@pnj.com
Special IRS Agent Scott Schneider is expected to continue testifying after a lunch break in the trial of Pensacola evangelist Ken Hovind , which resumed this morning after a one-week hiatus.
Hovind and his wife, Jo, are accused of tax evasion, including failure to pay $473,818 in employee-related taxes at his Creation Science Evangelism Ministry, which inlcudes Dinosaur Adventure Land on North Palafox Street.
Hovind, a tax protester, makes a substantial amount of money. But he believes he and his employees work for God, are paid by God and, therefore, aren't subject to taxation.
Schneider testified this morning that Jo Hovind requested financial help for her bills from Baptist Health Care, claiming that she had no income.
Schneider also said the Hovinds wrote checks to their children from their Creation Science Evangelism account. They also withdrew money from that account for cashier's checks.
On one day, a $9,000 check was withdrawn for their son, Eric. That same day, another $9,000 check was withdrawn for Eric's wife, Tanya.
Schneider said Kent Hovind refused to give a tax identification number to the First Baptist Church of Satsuma in Alabama, where he spoke. The church paid him a $738 fee. The tax ID number would have been used on a tax-reporting form.
Earlier story from print edition follows
Michael Stewart
@PensacolaNewsJournal.com
After a weeklong delay, the trial of a Pensacola evangelist charged with income-tax evasion is expected to resume today.
A deputy clerk with the U.S. Clerk of Courts said testimony is expected to begin at 8 a.m. in the trial of Kent Hovind and his wife, Jo, before U.S. District Judge Casey Rodgers.
The trial, which began Oct. 16, was canceled the first two days of last week when Jo Hovind's attorney, Jerry Barringer, fell ill. The trial was not scheduled the remainder of the week.
Hovind, a creationist who owns Dinosaur Adventure Land on North Palafox Street, is charged with 58 federal counts, including failure to pay $473,818 in employee-related taxes.
In addition, Hovind and his wife are accused of withdrawing large sums of money just below the $10,000 threshold for bank-reporting requirements to conceal $430,500 withdrawn from AmSouth Bank between July 20, 2001, and Aug. 9, 2002.
Trial highlights thus far:
- Attorney David Charles Gibbs testified that during a conversation Hovind stressed that "he was like the pope and this (Hovind's property) was like the Vatican."
- Barringer said Kent Hovind is a literalist who believes every word of the Bible and his religious beliefs should be respected.
- Pensacola Christian College Senior Vice President Rebekah Horton testified that students at the school were not allowed to work for Hovind because of his tax views.
"We know the Scriptures do not promote (tax evasion)," she said.
- Defense attorney Alan Richey said "the government is slinging a lot of mud, trying to make him look dirty. And his wife --- a piano teacher of 20 years --- they're trying to make her look dirty, too."
Published - October, 30, 2006
Hovind tax trial resumes
Nicole Lozare
nlozare@pnj.com
Special IRS Agent Scott Schneider is expected to continue testifying after a lunch break in the trial of Pensacola evangelist Ken Hovind , which resumed this morning after a one-week hiatus.
Hovind and his wife, Jo, are accused of tax evasion, including failure to pay $473,818 in employee-related taxes at his Creation Science Evangelism Ministry, which inlcudes Dinosaur Adventure Land on North Palafox Street.
Hovind, a tax protester, makes a substantial amount of money. But he believes he and his employees work for God, are paid by God and, therefore, aren't subject to taxation.
Schneider testified this morning that Jo Hovind requested financial help for her bills from Baptist Health Care, claiming that she had no income.
Schneider also said the Hovinds wrote checks to their children from their Creation Science Evangelism account. They also withdrew money from that account for cashier's checks.
On one day, a $9,000 check was withdrawn for their son, Eric. That same day, another $9,000 check was withdrawn for Eric's wife, Tanya.
Schneider said Kent Hovind refused to give a tax identification number to the First Baptist Church of Satsuma in Alabama, where he spoke. The church paid him a $738 fee. The tax ID number would have been used on a tax-reporting form.
Earlier story from print edition follows
Michael Stewart
@PensacolaNewsJournal.com
After a weeklong delay, the trial of a Pensacola evangelist charged with income-tax evasion is expected to resume today.
A deputy clerk with the U.S. Clerk of Courts said testimony is expected to begin at 8 a.m. in the trial of Kent Hovind and his wife, Jo, before U.S. District Judge Casey Rodgers.
The trial, which began Oct. 16, was canceled the first two days of last week when Jo Hovind's attorney, Jerry Barringer, fell ill. The trial was not scheduled the remainder of the week.
Hovind, a creationist who owns Dinosaur Adventure Land on North Palafox Street, is charged with 58 federal counts, including failure to pay $473,818 in employee-related taxes.
In addition, Hovind and his wife are accused of withdrawing large sums of money just below the $10,000 threshold for bank-reporting requirements to conceal $430,500 withdrawn from AmSouth Bank between July 20, 2001, and Aug. 9, 2002.
Trial highlights thus far:
- Attorney David Charles Gibbs testified that during a conversation Hovind stressed that "he was like the pope and this (Hovind's property) was like the Vatican."
- Barringer said Kent Hovind is a literalist who believes every word of the Bible and his religious beliefs should be respected.
- Pensacola Christian College Senior Vice President Rebekah Horton testified that students at the school were not allowed to work for Hovind because of his tax views.
"We know the Scriptures do not promote (tax evasion)," she said.
- Defense attorney Alan Richey said "the government is slinging a lot of mud, trying to make him look dirty. And his wife --- a piano teacher of 20 years --- they're trying to make her look dirty, too."
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