Did Harrelson’s letter get Wesley Snipes more time?

Last week, funny man Wesley Snipes was awarded three years’ paid vacation in the federal pen for comedically failing to file federal tax returns in 1999, 2000, and 2001. Trying to get a little help from friends, Snipes had Woody Harrelson and Denzel Washington write letters to the court in support of Snipes’ good character and value to society. I like Denzel Washington. I think he’s a decent human being and a great actor. No comment on Harrelson. But you’d think that because of their training, they would have learned a bit about reading an audience and playing to it. Their letters suggest that Snipes’ buddies just didn’t have a clue. WebCPA reports:

In his letter to the judge, Harrelson recounted his experience meeting Snipes when they first worked on the movie Wildcats. “He strives for rightness in all his relations and I realized early on what a citizen of the world Wes is,” wrote Harrelson. “He continues to earn my respect to this day.”

Washington described his friendship over more than 20 years with Snipes. “Many who know him have witnessed the fruit of his labors, have sat in his shade and even been protected by his presence,” wrote Washington. “I am proud of him, proud to call him a fellow thespian and most importantly, proud to call him a friend.”

Harrelson’s letter is quintessential goof-ball California. “Like, Dude! Wow, Dude, my man Wesley is the bomb, man! He really rocks ’cause uh . . . give me shot at that bong . . . oh, like, for real, man, Snipes is a citizen of world, really into rightness, man. So please cut him some slack.” Citizen of the world?? Give me a break! Apparently, he’s such a citizen of the world that he figures the U.S. government shouldn’t require him to pay taxes.

Why would Washington, bless his heart, think the court would care that Washington has “sat in Snipes’ shade” or is “proud to call him a fellow thespian”? Newsflash: The judge probably had to look up the word “thespian”. Washington and his fellow “thespians” need a does of reality. Stick to comedy, guys. Tax fraud advocacy ain’t your thing.