According to a story in the New York Post, Edward Snowden has been collected speaking fees for his appearances at various functions. Since last year he has collected over two hundred thousand dollars in fees. According to Ben Wizner, his attorney from the ACLU, Snowden will not run from paying his taxes to the IRS.

So, let me get this straight. Snowden is living in Russia on the run from felony charges in the United States. Yet, he will make sure to file his proper IRS return and pay his fair share of taxes? That sounds ludicrous.

“There is nothing remotely improper about Edward Snowden making a living by speaking to global audiences about surveillance and democracy,” ACLU lawyer Ben Wizner told Yahoo.

“I can assure you he will pay all taxes that he might owe,” Wizner added, saying his client is “not getting rich off public speaking.”

In one event for the University of Colorado, Boulder – Snowden was paid 56 thousand dollars for the event, which Snowden promised to donate a portion of to an organization devoted to freedom of the press. However, that organization claimed they never received the money from Snowden.

One appearance — made via live video to the University of Colorado, Boulder — netted the man on the lam $56,000. Snowden promised to donate part of his fee to an organization dedicated to freedom of the press — but the organization never received the money.

So, let’s sum up. Snowden claims he will pay his taxes on income earned while living on the lam in Russia, but as far as donating portions of the speaking fees he obtains to charitable organizations he promised to pay, they end up getting nothing. So, the IRS will surely get theirs right?

RIGHT..

 

 

By Marcus Crassus

Marcus Licinius Crassus was a Roman general and politician who played a key role in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.

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