Tax Evaders Refuse to Recognize New Charges

CONCORD, N.H. — A couple convicted of tax evasion said Thursday that the federal government has no right to bring 11 new charges against them, including gun violations and obstruction of justice.

Ed and Elaine Brown and at least four co-conspirators stockpiled explosives and firearms at the couple's home for possible use against law enforcement, according to the indictment.

Officials entered not guilty pleas on the Browns' behalf at a hearing Thursday in U.S. District Court in Concord.

They were convicted in January 2007 of failing to pay taxes on $1.9 million of income over eight years. The couple claims the federal income tax is not legitimate. Their argument — repeatedly rejected by courts — is that no law authorizes the federal income tax and that the 1913 constitutional amendment permitting it was never properly ratified.

The Browns fled to their Plainfield home before the trial ended, and Ed Brown threatened to kill any officers who attempted to arrest them. U.S. marshals posing as supporters apprehended them in October 2007. The new charges stem from that incident.

They appeared separately Thursday, shackled at the ankles. Elaine Brown, who was arraigned first, said she would not attend the new trial. Her husband said the couple lived under a different form of law.

"I thought today was here to release us," he said, adding that authorities have kept him in solitary confinement for more than a year. "I have not been able to find out anything about anything."

U.S. Marshal Stephen Monier and U.S. Attorney Tom Colantuono declined to comment on Brown's accusation. Monier added that authorities would grant the couple a brief meeting in a holding cell after the hearing — the couple's first time together since October 2007.

The Browns say they will represent themselves, but Judge James Muirhead appointed standby lawyers for the couple. Those attorneys — Bjorn Lange and Michael Iacopino — declined to comment.

The couple also waived their right to bail hearings.

Judge George Singal of Maine will preside over the trial scheduled for April 13. Federal judges in New Hampshire recused themselves after the Browns threatened to harm New Hampshire Judge Steven McAuliffe in 2007. Both McAuliffe and Judge Paul Barbadaro said they would be worried that their impartiality would be questioned because of the threats.

The Brown's home — now under the control of federal authorities — became a rallying place for the couple's anti-government, anti-tax supporters in 2007, some of whom pledged to use violence to defend them. Four have since been convicted and sent to prison.

The Browns, both in their late 60s, are currently serving five-year prison sentences.

Four supporters of the Browns have been sent to prison for helping the couple resist efforts to arrest. Some of the explosive devices prosecutors say were seized from the Browns' property included nine homemade antipersonnel mines intended to fire shotgun shells from trees when approaching marshals hit tripwires.

(Source)