Michigan Tax Rebel Sentenced to Prison

A Michigan tax rebel who has inspired people to file thousands of false returns has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison.

Peter Hendrickson spoke eloquently but defiantly Monday as he blamed his conviction on lies by the government. Supporters in the courtroom applauded before they were scolded by U.S. Chief District Judge Gerald Rosen.

Hendrickson, an Oakland County resident, was convicted last fall of filing false forms over six years. He claims earnings are not wages and do not count as taxable income. Hendrickson is the author of a book on taxes called, "Cracking The Code."

Besides prison, the judge ordered him to pay the cost of prosecuting the case. The government says it has received thousands of taxreturns that follow Hendrickson's philosophy. FULL STORY

"AND YET THROUGH ALL THAT TIME, AND DESPITE THE INTENSITY OF THE IRS FOCUS ON ME AND ON CtC, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HASN'T FOUND ITSELF ABLE TO LEGALLY ASSERT THAT I HAVE HAD ANY TAX LIABILITY FOR ANY OF THE YEARS SINCE I FIRST LEARNED THE TRUTH ABOUT THE TAX AN ACTED ACCORDINGLY!"

'Cracking the Code' author draws prison term in tax fraud case

Paul Egan / The Detroit News

Detroit -- A man whose claims that most earnings are not subject to income tax have drawn national attention was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison Monday by a federal judge.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gerald E. Rosen bristled when a courtroom full of Hendrickson's supporters burst into applause after the defendant's pre-sentencing speech and said Hendrickson has taken on the mantle of an anti-tax hero. FULL STORY