Perry Ekstrand indicted

[Demosthenes]

Activist indicted for tax fraud
The Yankeetown man tried to sue the IRS in 2005, and now faces tax-evasion charges.

By Cindy Swirko
Staff writer
Published: Monday, August 31, 2009 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, August 30, 2009 at 11:12 p.m.
A Yankeetown man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Gainesville on charges relating to suspected income tax evasion, the Internal Revenue Service reported.
Per-Olof Soren Ekstrand, also know as Perry Ekstrand, was indicted last week on one count each of income tax evasion, production of false government instruments with the intent to defraud and corrupt interference with the lawful functions of the IRS. Penalties range from three to 25 years in prison and fines of $250,000.
Ekstrand was a co-plaintiff in a 2005 suit against the IRS, which sought $4 billion in damages and alleged that the IRS was not a legitimate government agency and that the 16th amendment was never properly ratified. The civil suit was dismissed in March 2006.
At least four other plaintiffs in that action have been criminally charged by the federal government.
On Aug. 27, Ekstrand appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Allan Kornblum in Gainesville. Ekstrand pleaded not guilty to all counts and was released on $500,000 bond and the surrender of his passport. Other conditions of release were sealed.
Trial is scheduled for Oct 13.

[Pottapaug1938]

What was that quote from the last Tom Clancy book -- something like, "if you kick a tiger in the ass, you'd better have a plan for dealing with his teeth?"