American Tax Officer

Now these three members of the Human Rights Organization have only evaded a small amount of tax, the largest being a few dozen US dollars and the smallest, like Ted, just a tip of twenty US dollars, which required paying only two US dollars in taxes.

Yet for such a trivial tax evasion, they have to face thirty years of harsh punishment, which is nothing short of horrifying.

But it wasn't long before those present came to a realization.

The reason these three were subjected to such severe penalties was certainly not because they evaded such a tiny amount of tax.

The main reason was that they chose to defy David and the IRS, and that's what led to their downfall!

Therefore, to say that they brought it upon themselves might not be an overstatement.

Thinking this, the celebrities present all had the same thought: if David ever came after them, it would be best not to resist but to settle and avoid disaster; otherwise, they might also be pinned with such charges, and then they would truly have nowhere to cry.

"Your Honor, I strongly protest this decision. Even if their tax evasion charges are upheld, the amount is so small that a punishment of thirty years is absolutely unreasonable. Such a sentence grossly deviates from the judicial standards of our country and will cause chaos in our judicial proceedings!"

Jeff was in a panic. Initially, the organization had appointed him to confront the IRS and prevent them from arbitrarily levying charges.

But now that the charges were imposed and to top it off, members of his organization were subjected to such harsh sentencing, if this were the result, he would no longer have the face to serve as the chief lawyer for the Los Angeles Human Rights Organization.

"Defense attorney, you need to understand that the Department of Justice is one thing, and the IRS is another system. The standards between the two can't possibly be the same. Don't lump them together. Objection overruled!"

Nicola's words were essentially saying, 'We have our own national circumstances here in the Qing; don't use a sword from your dynasty to behead officials of mine!'

Jeff understood all too well and was seething with anger yet utterly powerless, for this was an IRS courtroom,

And at that moment, Ted in the defendant's seat also returned to his senses from the shock of a thirty-year cruel punishment and bellowed, "Fake! I did evade taxes, but it was only two US dollars. What justifies a thirty-year sentence? What justifies it? Where's the basis?"

"Hmph, you want to know on what grounds? Then let me tell you!"

"The basis for this court's judgment is not the amount but the severity of the circumstances. It's like a robber who only stole one US dollar, but if the circumstances are extremely egregious, wouldn't a ten-year sentence be justified?"

"The same applies to your tax evasion; it's severely reprehensible, so we can also sentence you to thirty years!"

Nicola, being able to serve as a judge for the IRS, naturally had strong rhetoric and theory, and with this speech, she managed to leave Ted speechless and unable to retort.

"Take them away, execute immediately!"

"Fake, I won't accept this, I won't!"

"I want to appeal, I want to go public with the media about the IRS's abuse of authority!"

"..."

Despite their continual cursing and refusal to accept their fate, the IRS's enforcement officers didn't indulge them and promptly carried them away like pigs.

Nicola struck the gavel and said, "Alright, everyone, today's trial is hereby concluded!"

The celebrities in the audience all stood up and cast wary glances at David before orderly heading toward the exit.

Within the IRS system, there were those who came to David, with João being the first to speak, "Director David, you really did it, handling these three in such a short time. I believe after this, you will swim even more comfortably in your jurisdiction!"

Pinning the members of the Human Rights Organization with charges based on tips, coupons, and jade stones may have a sense of imposing a crime where there's a will to convict, but this is in keeping with the way the IRS operates.

Moreover, the notoriety of today's sentencing will escalate the public's dread towards the IRS even further.

After all, if tips and coupons can be grounds for conviction, who can guarantee they won't be charged with such accusations some day?

So, to avoid being charged, those suspected of tax evasion will undoubtedly have to dutifully pay their taxes!

"Perhaps..."

David was aware that the news of today's trial might cause a stir, but it would only really affect the lawbreakers within his jurisdiction.

As for the capitalists in Hollywood, getting them to disclose and pay their taxes honestly was not going to be so simple.

"Alright, Director David, this credit belongs to you; go out and inform the media about the result!"

Upon João's reminder, David nodded and then headed to the elevator, descending to the first floor before stepping out.

The media, who had been waiting for the news, swarmed around David, the 'main actor', as soon as he appeared.

"Director David, may I ask if there is a result regarding the three members of the Human Rights Organization?"

David pressed his hands down, and after the crowd quieted down, he said, "The result is in; the three of them have been found guilty of tax evasion and each sentenced to thirty years of fixed-term imprisonment!"

"What! Found guilty of tax evasion? And sentenced to thirty years of fixed-term imprisonment?"