Wesley Snipes was released from the medium security Federal Correctional Institution McKean, in northwest Pennsylvania, CNN reported. He is known for his starring roles in 'White Men Can't Jump,' the 'Blade' franchise and 'Jungle Fever.' The jury convicted the known actor for not filing his tax returns. He was acquitted of felony and conspiracy charges.
Prosecutors argued that Snipes had earned more than $8 million, and failed to file income tax returns between 1999 through 2001.
It is not yet know where Snipes will serve the remainder of his sentence. At the time of his conviction, he was a resident of the upscale suburb of Windermere in Orlando, Florida, news reports said.
Snipes must gain approval to leave home detention, a spokesman from the New York Community Corrections Office said.
Snipes was found guilty of not paying as much as $15 million in dividends to the government for his earnings for the three years aforementioned.
His lawyers argued that his tax advisers, Douglas P. Rosile and Eddie Ray Kahn, who were also jailed, duped their client with a claim that there were no laws requiring him to pay tax.
He has been given only limited contact with his family. Snipes is a father of five children.
'Given the length of time that they are suggesting that I be away from my family, away from my profession, away from my ability to provide for my family and for those who have depended upon me to contribute to society... I think anyone would be nervous about that," Snipes said in an interview.
While in prison Wesley had tried to appeal his sentence to the Supreme Court, but was turned down and ordered to finish out his term.
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