NY TPs convicted on all counts

[Demosthenes]

02/09/09 04:53 PM
Couple convicted for not paying income taxes
By Dan Herbeck

A couple from Allegany County who claimed it was their legal right to refuse paying income taxes was convicted of felony charges in federal court this afternoon.

Patricia O'Connor and her husband, Richard Ray Drachenberg, residents of rural Angelica who are in their late 50s, face a May 21 sentencing before District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

O'Connor was convicted of five felony counts of tax evasion and one felony count of conspiring to defraud the government. Drachenberg was convicted of the same conspiracy count, the only charge filed against him.

Criminal investigators from the Internal Revenue Service said the couple avoided paying more than $217,000 in income taxes over a 12-year period by failing to file tax returns.

Jurors rejected the couple's claim that they are "New York nationals" and not American citizens, and therefore cannot legally be forced to pay income taxes. The couple claimed they renounced their U.S. citizenship in 2001 by sending registered letters to then-President George W. Bush and other government officials.

"We believe this verdict is just and supported by the evidence," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who prosecuted the case with John E. Rogowski. "There are legal procedures a person can follow to renounce his or her citizenship, but those procedures were not followed by these two defendants."

Drachenberg and O'Connor, who acted as their own attorneys, showed no reaction as the verdicts were read. They declined to comment as they left the courtroom.

Under advisory sentencing guidelines, each faces a likely prison term of two years or more, court officials said.

The couple's legal argument is a "frivolous argument" that has been repeatedly rejected by courts when people attempted to use it to avoid paying taxes, Mango said.

[Number Six]

A famous tp leader said NY and California were the worst states to challenge the tax authorities. Probably NH and Wyoming are the best. I warned a non-filer in NY who believed in the voluntary nature of income taxes, sending him the enforcement statistics in various categories. He had filed when I last saw him at the local arborist supply--he was in to get his chain saws serviced.

[LPC]

A famous tp leader said NY and California were the worst states to challenge the tax authorities. Probably NH and Wyoming are the best.

Not Nevada? Texas?

I warned a non-filer in NY who believed in the voluntary nature of income taxes, sending him the enforcement statistics in various categories. He has a name shared by certain mafia toughs. He had filed when I last saw him at the local arborist supply--he was in to get his chain saws serviced.

Chain sawS?

He's a lumberjack? (I hope.)

[wserra]

He's a lumberjack? (I hope.)

Does he cut down trees, wear high heels, suspenders and a bra?

[Doktor Avalanche]

He's a lumberjack? (I hope.)

Does he cut down trees, wear high heels, suspenders and a bra?

Dear Sir:

I wish to complain in the strongest terms possible about that last snide remark you made about lumberjacks.

Some of my best friends are lumberjacks and only a few of them are transvestites.

Yours In Regards,

Sir Charles Arthur Strong (Mrs)

PS I've never kissed the editor of the Radio Times.

[mutter]

leave me trees alone, you bastards!

I am the Lorax I speak for the trees
I speak for the trees for the trees have no tonuges
And I am telling you all at the top of my lungs
Get the hell off my lawn you kids!

[Demosthenes]

Ahh, Mutter. You're going to do just fine on Quatloos.