American Tax Officer

Court Trial Scene.

"How... How is this considered tax evasion? I had no idea this stone was worth 550 US dollars. I just thought it was beautiful and bought it to take home. This is a complete miscarriage of justice! Everyone, tell me if this isn't true!"

Defendant Flint was at the height of his frustration and turned to look at the onlookers, hoping someone in the crowd would speak up for him.

But after David's coup with the coupons and tips, who would dare speak on his behalf now?

They were afraid, after all. David was the kind of person who would dare to grab someone off the street and drag them into court for trial.

If any of them stood out, David might also find some excuse like tips or coupons to accuse them of tax evasion. Where could they then go to proclaim their innocence?

Moreover, here in this courtroom, where the judges were all from the tax bureau, if they dared to speak out, they could be charged with contempt of court, a burdensome consequence indeed.

"Flint, I have said it many times, you members of the Human Rights Organization should understand the law better than ordinary people. Hence, income from unexpected gains must also be reported for taxation to our Tax Bureau. You found this stone valued at 550 US dollars and yet failed to report it for tax purposes. How is convicting you of tax evasion unjust?"

David repeated his previous statement, but Flint remained defiant, retorting, "I know the law, yes, but I genuinely didn't understand the value of this stone. Ignorance is no sin, right? Your Tax Bureau can't just accuse me wrongly!"

"Ignorance is no sin? Fine, I will make you lose all hope."

David reached into a file bag and once again took out a USB stick, handing it to a staff member present at the scene.

This staff member, promptly plugging it into the playing device, and soon enough, an image appeared on the large screen.

In the video was a jade shop, and in the next second, a man entered the shop. It was no other than Flint, who was now standing at the defendant's booth.

"Good day, sir. Can I help you with something?"

"Hello, could you please appraise this stone for me?"

"Sure, one moment, please..."

In the shop, a staff member took Flint's stone and placed it under a machine. About two or three minutes later, the staff member took the stone out, returned to Flint, and said, "Sir, this is a Bicolor Column Stone, with a market value of about 550 US dollars. Would you like to sell it?"

"Not at the moment, thank you."

The video abruptly stopped there, but the expressions of everyone in the courtroom were varied.

In the spectators' area, everyone knew that Flint's defense of ignorance was no longer tenable, as the video had conclusively proven that he had the stone appraised and thus knew its value.

In other words, his case was doomed.

On the defendant's side, Flint looked as if he had been struck by a thunderbolt. He had not anticipated that David would obtain this particular video. And with the appearance of the video, his previous defense was effectively shattered.

As the atmosphere in the court grew tense, Nicola, seated at the bench, tapped her gavel and said, "Defendant Flint, the evidence is irrefutable, proving you were indeed aware of the stone's value. What more do you have to say?"

Flint was at a loss for words, and Jeff, sitting beside him, also realized that the Tax Bureau was intent on pinning charges on their member, particularly now that they had found a reason to do so. At this moment, he too was speechless.

"Since the defendant and the defense attorney have no rebuttal, this court hereby declares, the defendant is guilty of tax evasion! Moreover, being a member of the Human Rights Organization and well-versed in the law, the defendant should have known that unexpected income is subject to tax. Yet, knowing this law, you chose to conceal the income, which is an aggravating factor to your crime!"

As Nicola spoke, Flint was on the verge of tears down below.

At that moment, how he wished he were not a member of the Human Rights Organization but an ordinary citizen.

Then the Tax Bureau wouldn't have been able to forcefully charge him based on his association with the Human Rights Organization and his knowledge of the law.

And thinking of the severe punishment he was about to face, Flint panicked completely and started shouting desperately, "No, I don't accept your judgment; I want to appeal..."

"Appeal denied, dismissed!"

Nicola's icy words not only drained Flint of his color but also had the same effect on the two companions by his side. They spent all their days criticizing the Tax Bureau for abusing their power and creating an autocracy, trampling over citizens' human rights. Yet today, that power was being used against them.

"The verdict will now be pronounced!"

Nicola stood up and, in a loud voice, proclaimed, "Defendant Ted, Flint, Darwin, you are found guilty of tax evasion!"

"Furthermore, as members of the Human Rights Organization, well-informed of federal laws, your deliberate breach of the law is considered a severe aggravation of your crime!"

"Ted is hereby sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment with no possibility of parole!"

"Darwin is hereby sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment with no possibility of parole!"

"Flint is hereby sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment with no possibility of parole!"

Many had anticipated that once charged, the three men would receive heavy sentences, but the declaration of a 30-year sentence still shocked them deeply.

30 years!

How many 30 years does one have in a lifetime?

In the case of Rodrigozki and his associates, who were sentenced to thousands of years of imprisonment, the punishment, however harsh, was somewhat justifiable. After all, they weren't only extremely vicious but also evaded taxes amounting to tens of millions.