London:
Blade star Wesley Snipes hasbeen ordered to turn himself in to federal authoritiesimmediately and begin serving his three-year sentence for taxevasion.
The 48-year-old actor was found guilty of failing tofile returns when he stood trial in 2008, but his lawyersappealed the verdict and he was freed on bail to challenge theruling.
He lost the appeal in July this year and was due tosurrender to police on September 2 - but US District CourtJudge Terrell Hodges granted him a postponement pending aretrial hearing this month.
But Judge Hodges rejected the case for a new trial onFriday and Snipes was told he must turn himself in, reportedContactmusic.
He told the Ocala, Florida court, "The DefendantSnipes had a fair trial... The time has come for the judgmentto be enforced."
The actor was not present for the hearing. He wasconvicted for failing to file returns or pay tax on earningsof USD 38 million dating back to 1999.
The 48-year-old actor was found guilty of failing tofile returns when he stood trial in 2008, but his lawyersappealed the verdict and he was freed on bail to challenge theruling.
He lost the appeal in July this year and was due tosurrender to police on September 2 - but US District CourtJudge Terrell Hodges granted him a postponement pending aretrial hearing this month.
But Judge Hodges rejected the case for a new trial onFriday and Snipes was told he must turn himself in, reportedContactmusic.
He told the Ocala, Florida court, "The DefendantSnipes had a fair trial... The time has come for the judgmentto be enforced."
The actor was not present for the hearing. He wasconvicted for failing to file returns or pay tax on earningsof USD 38 million dating back to 1999.
