By M&C People May 25, 2008, 22:21 GMT
Wesley Snipes is out on bail.
A file picture dated 24 February 2008 shows US actor Wesley Snipes arriving at the 80th annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California, USA. Snipes was sentenced to three years in prison on 24 April 2008 for failing to file his federal income tax returns. EPA/ANDREW GOMBERT
One day after a Florida court ordered him to surrender by June 3 to begin serving a three-year prison sentence for not filing income tax returns, the actor was granted bail that will keep him a free man until his pending appeal is settled.
U.S. District Judge William Terrell Hodges wrote in his decision he was "dubious" of Snipes' appeal.
CNN reported that when arguing for bail, Snipes' attorneys wrote their client is already "actively engaged in resolving his liabilities with the IRS civilly."
Bearing checks totalling $5 million dollars for the IRS, the lawyers for court on the day of his sentencing hoped that ploy would facilitate the bail decision.
Your Talkback on this Story