Dec 11, 2006, 15:00 GMT
Wesley Snipes has been arrested and released on $1 million bail after pleading not guilty to tax fraud.
he's out of jail and out on bail and that's the way it goes....EPA/PETER FOLEY
The 'Blade' actor - who stands accused of making false claims for tax refunds amounting to $12 million - did not speak at the hearing in a Florida courtroom on Friday (08.12.06).
After the hearing Snipes said: "I look forward to clearing my name and resolving this issue post-haste."
A warrant was issued for the 'White Men Can't Jump' actor's arrest two months ago on charges of filing fraudulent tax returns, failing to file income tax returns and conspiring to defraud the IRS.
The 44-year-old actor arrived in Florida by private jet from Namibia - where he is filming new movie 'Gallow Walker'.
He has been permitted by the judge to return to the African country to finish filming but must be back home in California by January 10 to surrender his US passport.
Snipes is accused of conspiring with two other men, Eddie Ray Kahn and Douglas P. Rosile, to defraud the IRS between 1996 and 1997 and failing to file his own income tax returns between 1999 and 2004, fraudulently claiming tax refunds of almost $12 million.
The actor's involvement with Rosile has been questioned previously.
In 2002, a lawsuit was brought against Rosile claming he filed false tax refund claims, including a $7.3 million demand for Snipes - though Snipes was not named at the time.
Last year, Snipes encountered legal troubles when he tried to enter South Africa with a forged passport. He was allowed to return to the US but was deemed an "undesirable person" by the African country.
(C) BANG Media International
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