Flamboyant Aero-Equipment Maker Gets "Hard Time" For IRS
Scam
Al Thompson wanted to
succeed in aviation in the worst way... and apparently did just
that. The loud-spoken aviation equipment manufacturer (mostly
Flight bags, clothing, and the like), had fought a running battle
with the IRS over withholding and other financial scams for several
years, and after years of court skirmishing, was convicted of
Federal offenses and sentenced to six years in Federal Prison.
Thompson, something of a long-term embarrassment to the aviation
community, was well-known for a confrontational demeanor and
long-rambling oratories about the rights of the Federal Government.
But, what got Thompson into trouble was his refusal to pay his
income taxes and those of 10 of his employees. Thompson felt just justified in doing so
by citing a belief that Federal income tax laws were repealed in
1939. Convicted and sentenced on 13 counts of tax
resistance Wednesday, Thompson claimed in pre-sentence interviews
that he should not have to serve any time, "I have not committed a
crime and there's nothing to convict me on."
Last January, Thompson
was convicted on 13 counts of tax resistance, and apparently had
not paid his own taxes since 1999... and jeopardized the welfare of
several of his employees by failing to file their withholding since
2000. Thompson claimed that, "My first responsibility is to God and
the Ten Commandments," in his address to the Judge, US District
Judge William B. Shubb.
An earlier statement describing Thompson and a partner in
these efforts by United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott noted
that, "The blatant and far-reaching
defrauding of honest taxpayers by these two individuals warrants an
aggressive federal prosecution. This case should serve as a stark
reminder to our citizens that caution should be heeded when
approached by those advocating wild theories as to why one does not
have to obey federal tax laws."
US District Judge William B. Shubb
labeled Thompson, who had tried to brand himself as a
heroic tax crusader, as an "incorrigible" and suggested
that "people looking at Mr. Thompson now need to know you do
go to jail. They need to know Mr. Thompson is not their hero. He is
going to jail."
The 58 year old Redding California resident, also incurred fines
of $7,500 but was not ordered to pay an estimated back-tax bill of
$259K. Thompson could have been sentenced to as much as 63 years in
prison and a maximum $3.25 million fine.