WESLEY SNIPES WONT FACE JAIL FOR TAX FRAUD

HOLLYWOOD action hero Wesley Snipes has struck a deal with US authorities that will see him avoid a jail term for allegedly dodging millions of dollars in taxes, it was reported.The star of the Blade vampire movies has reached an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) whereby he will adhere to a payment plan in exchange for not serving a prison sentence, entertainment daily Variety reported. The deal will also enable Snipes, who is currently in Namibia shooting a horror movie, to continue working and travelling abroad. Earlier this month, federal prosecutors in Tampa, Florida, issued an eight-count indictment accusing Snipes and two Florida men, Eddie Kahn and Douglas Rosile, of conspiracy to defraud the IRS and submitting fake claims. The indictment alleges Snipes owed around $US12 million in unpaid taxes. The conspiracy and false claim charges carry a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment each.