[The Pink Panthe]

During this trial, it has been clearly established that certain individuals and organizations are exempt from paying taxes, as Dr. Hovind believes. It has also been established that the charges brought against him are based solely on the opinions of the IRS agents. In addition it was established that these IRS agents never notified Dr. Hovind that the IRS found him in neglect due to their opinions that he was not tax-exempt, even though they have repeatedly testified that they do understand that Dr. Hovind sincerely believes that he and his ministry do fall within the tax-exempt guidelines allowable by the IRS. In fact, one of the agents testified that he was not aware of any civil examination that had been performed during the time of the indictment, and the defense finally asked that charges #1-12 be dropped.

In regards to the multiple charges against the Hovinds over funds being withdrawn in such amounts as “to evade reports being sent to the IRS”, it is important to note that the branch manager of the bank testified that she never felt it was necessary to submit a Suspicious Transaction Report for any of these transactions! In light of this and also since it is not illegal to obtain cash from a bank under the $10,000 mark or to be paid in cash, and since the defense showed reasonable cause for the Hovinds to need to withdraw this money for purchasing property and preparing for payroll, it was requested that charges #13-57 also be dropped.

In regards to the “unfriendly” visit by Dr. Hovind to the IRS office, the agent testified that there actually may have been shaking of hands when greeting each other and when saying good-bye, but there was no pushing, shoving, or yelling…just that Dr. Hovind quoted something from the Bible. That was construed by the agent as a veiled threat. However, the defense clearly showed that no “corruption to impede” justice occurred. The defense requested that charge #58 be dropped as well.

Unfortunately, when the defense attorneys attempted to point out to the jury and judge these all-important facts, multiple gag-orders were imposed on them, even though the judge stated at one point (when the jury was adjourned) that these attorneys were trained and competent. And, during the cross-examinations, both IRS agents needed to have their memories refreshed again and again by the defense, as they responded “I don’t know”, or “I can’t remember”, or “I don’t recall” to many of the questions presented to them. Also, the IRS agents failed again and again to directly answer many of the defense attorneys questions, such that the attorney had to repeat these questions beginning with the words, “You did not answer my question.” In regards to Dr. Hovind questioning the authority of one of the IRS agents to carry out the search warrant, the agent admitted that he did not show Dr. Hovind his credentials at the time he was conducting the search warrant. The other IRS agent who was present during the search, however, expressed concern that Dr. Hovind had “better work-out equipment” than he had (which, by the way, had been donated to Dr. Hovind.)


(From that same source)