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Tax Evaders' Property Now in Feds' Hands
By BEVERLEY WANG – 21 hours ago
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The property where two tax evaders holed up for months refusing to surrender and serve prison sentences has been cleared of explosives and seized by the federal government.
Explosives teams needed two weeks to find, remove and blow up a large number of homemade bombs and dismantle booby traps, U.S. Marshal Stephen Monier said Thursday. The wooded, 110-acre property in Plainfield includes a solar- and wind-powered home.
Ed and Elaine Brown had holed up there since walking out of their federal trial in January. They were arrested this month by federal agents who posed as supporters. They are now serving 5-year prison sentences.
Elaine Brown's dental office in nearby Lebanon also was seized by the Treasury Department. The properties may be sold to cover the Browns' unpaid federal income taxes. They were convicted of hiding $1.9 million in income between 1996 and 2003 to avoid paying the federal income tax, which they believe is not legitimate.
The seized properties are posted with "No Trespassing — Government Property" signs, and federal authorities warned that anyone attempting to enter without permission can be arrested.
The Browns' standoff was sustained by stores of food, supplies from supporters and a fan base stoked by postings on the Internet.
Four of their supporters have been charged with helping the Browns evade arrest. The cases were reassigned this week to U.S. District Court in Portland, Maine, after federal judges in New Hampshire recused themselves.
Ed Brown is serving his prison term in Elkton, Ohio, and Elaine Brown in Danbury, Conn. Authorities say the Browns could face new charges related to the standoff.