WASHINGTON (AP) - Movie actor Wesley Snipes was indicted Tuesday on eight counts of tax fraud accusing him of bilking $12 million from the government in false refund claims.
     
Snipes, 44, also failed to file tax returns for six years, according to an indictment unsealed in Tampa, Fla.
     
Federal prosecutors said Snipes fraudulently claimed the refunds in 1996 and 1997. It also charged him with failure to file returns between 1999 and 2004.
     
According to the indictment, Snipes had his taxes prepared by accountants with a history of filing false returns to reap payments for their clients.

As part of the deal, the indictment alleges, the firm, American Rights Litigators, would receive 20 percent of refunds from clients.
     
Snipes faces a maximum of 16 years in prison.
     
     
      (Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)