Chicago mobster Al CaponeWhy do people think that they can fight the IRS and win? 

Al Capone was a ruthless mobster, responsible for numerous murders but it took the IRS to stop him.  He was finally arrested for tax fraud. Capone was sentenced to 11 years in Federal prison. 

Yet, celebrities continue to try and outrun the long arm of the tax law.  Forget it, man.  It's like The Matrix.  Those dudes seem all geeky and clueless but they will catch up and when they do...you're goin' down.

Actor Wesley Snipes was just sentenced to three years in prison and fined up to $5 million for evading federal income taxes.  Snipes was convicted on three misdemeanor counts of failure to file federal income tax returns.  I'm sure he considers himself lucky because he was acquitted in February of five additional charges, including felony tax fraud and conspiracy. 

Snipes was the highest-profile criminal tax target in years, and prosecutors called for a heavy sentence to deter others from trying to obstruct the IRS. The government alleged Snipes made at least $13.8 million for the years in question and owed $2.7 million in back taxes.

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Joe Francis, creator of the video series "Girls Gone Wild," was indicted for federal tax evasion for when he deducted more than $20 million in false business expenses.

Sophia Loren was charged with tax evasion in Italy in 1982 and spent 18 days in prison.

Tenor Luciano Pavarotti in '99, he was ordered to pay nearly $11 million to the Italian government.

Richard Hatch, won $1 million on the reality show "Survivor," was found guilty of failing to pay taxes on his winnings and sent to jail.

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NY Yankees' Darryl Strawberry was indicted in 1994 on tax evasion charges for failing to report income from his autograph at baseball card events. He was ordered to repay $350,000.

The IRS didn't find Abbott and Costello funny when in 1956 charged them for back taxes, forcing them to sell their homes and most of their assets, including their film rights.

The IRS fined Willie Nelson $32 million after he got caught up in a bogus tax shelter. Nelson settled for roughly $16 million. See it pays to be a nice guy. He had to sell all his property but his friends bought most of it and gave it back to him.

In 1989, Manhattan hotel and real-estate magnate Leona Helmsley, known for not being a nice guy, was famously or infamously quoted that "only the little people pay taxes." She was convicted of tax evasion and served time at a Federal Correctional Institution.

Uh guys, the IRS is watching, always watching.    Oh and don't forget to declare all the swag you get from The Oscars, The Emmys and at Sundance because celebs are now responsible for paying taxes on any swag gifts they accept. 

The value of the celebrity gift bags can easily skyrocket because they are typically packed with the latest electronics, designer clothes, jewelry, gift certificates for fancy dinners, four-star hotel stays, spa treatments and cosmetic surgery procedures etc. 

Pay your taxes and then bitch about it like the rest of us.  Maybe you can use your influence to lobby for a reasonable flat tax.

Cameron Diaz's father, Emelio Diaz has passed away from a flu which turned into pneumonia.  He was 58 years old.
Our condolences go out to Cameron, her mom Billie and her sister, Chimene.

Disney animator Oliver Johnston has died at 95 years old of natural causes.  He and nine other animators were responsible for such classics as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Bambi," "Cinderella," "Alice in Wonderland,"
"Peter Pan," "Lady and the Tramp," "Sleeping Beauty,"
"101 Dalmatians," "Mary Poppins," "The Jungle Book,"
"The Aristocats," "Robin Hood" and "The Rescuers."

Cynthia Nixon, 42, one of the stars from Sex and the City, revealed on "Good Morning America that she was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years ago.  She had the lump removed and then underwent 6 weeks of radiation therapy.  She was diligent about getting exams because her mother also had breast cancer.  See mammograms can save lives - get checked!

Boy, I tell you.  I am slaving over here trying to make a buck and Elvis, Marilyn and Tupac are supposedly dead and their still raking in the big bucks!  A Marilyn Monroe sex tape has surfaced and was sold to a collector for an astounding $1.5 million dollars.  The tape is 15 minutes long.  So basically, Ms. Monroe makes $6 million dollars an hour! 
Not bad babe, not bad.

After 10 years of living as an “almost married” couple, Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis plan to make it official. Life & Style reports the couple, who already have two children together, Lily-Rose, 8, and Jack, 6, will marry this summer.

It will be a private family affair on  Tybee Island, Georgia.

Stanley Kamel, born January 1, 1943 in New Jersey, USA, was found dead in his Hollywood Hills home. Police investigators ruled that the cause of death was a heart attack. He was 65.

He is well known for his numerous roles on television from Eric Peters on Days of Our Lives, mobster Tony Marchette on Beverly Hills 90210, Mark Gilliam, a lawyer with AIDS on LA Law and most recently playing psychiatrist Dr. Charles Kroger on the hit series “Monk.”

Beyonce Knowles and Rapper/Mogul Jay Z supposedly got married in New York. No one has confirmed this yet but Entertainment Tonight has a source that said it took place in Jay's NYC penthouse.

"Only about 40 friends and family were invited to the surreptitious nuptials, which are said to have taken place under a white tent in the "basketball-court-size" living room of Jay-Z's recently remodeled 13,500-square-foot penthouse." Not only do I not know 40 people, the only tent that fits in my living room is red, blue, green and says Baby Boy Scouts on it!

Oh, and her engagement ring is supposedly 16 flawless carats. Yes, not 1, 2, 12 but 16.

NEW YORK - Hip hop mogul 50 Cent—whose real name is Curtis Jackson , Universal Music Group and several of its record labels were sued on Wednesday for promoting a “gangsta lifestyle” by a 14-year-old boy who says friends of the rapper assaulted him.  The lawsuit says they bear responsibility for the assault because they encourage artists to pursue violent, criminal lifestyles.

The boy says he was assaulted on a Manhattan sidewalk in March 2007 by four men from 50 Cent's organization.  The lawsuit claims he was targeted because he was wearing a T-shirt by Czar Entertainment, a rival management company.

Two of the men pleaded guilty to harassment and endangering the welfare of a child.

Larger than life, film legend Charlton Heston has died. He was 84.  Born Oct. 4, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois. 

His chiseled, rugged, good looks and powerful voice made him perfect for roles as epic heroes (especially since many rarely wore shirts!) such as Andrew Jackson in 'The President's Lady,' Michelangelo in 'The Agony and the Ecstasy', Marc Antony in 'Julius Caesar', Cardinal Richelieu in 'The Three Musketeers', Henry VIII in 'The Prince and the Pauper',  Ben-Hur, El Cid and of course, Moses in 'The Ten Commandments'. 

Off camera he had leading roles as well.  He was quite vocal about his increasingly more conservative political and social views.  This almost overshadowed his acting career. He was for a time, president of the Screen Actors Guild, chairman of the American Film Institute and marched in the civil rights movement of the 1950s but it was his presidency of the National Rifle Association that really brought him controversy.

Director Oliver Stone is planning a drama about President George W. Bush entitled, "W".  Josh Brolin is playing George W. and Elizabeth Banks will play first lady Laura Bush.  James Cromwell will play Daddy Bush and Ellen Burstyn will play Mama Barbara Bush.  I wonder who he'll get to play the role of all those Saudi princes the Bush empire's been playing with behind the scenes.

Sarah Jessica Parker has had a hard time dealing with the result of a Maxim poll voting her the unsexiest woman in the world.  She claims the poll was "brutal" and also affected her husband, actor Matthew Broderick.  Don't fret my pet.  They're just jealous of your toned body, fabulous fashion flair and sweet disposition.



 

After nearly 19 years of marriage, Robin Williams and his wife are getting divorced.  Marsha Garces Williams filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences.  Sources have reported that the marriage ran into problems when she told him she would leave if he didn't seek help for his alcoholism.

There was an apparent suicide inside a house being built on a piece of property owned by Oscar-winner Mel Gibson.  A construction worker named Michael John Van Dyke, 48, of Bonsall, California, was found hanged.  The death appeared to be a suicide, but the official cause of death will be determined by the coroner.

There's a rumor that Jamie Lynn Spears, Britney's pregnant sister, is engaged to boyfriend and baby daddy Casey Aldridge.  She's been flashing some sparkly bling on her left hand.  Supposedly the young couple has been after marriage for a while even before the whole baby thing.

Piers Morgan is hired. The former British tabloid editor and past judge on NBC's "America's Got Talent" was crowned the winner on NBC's "The Celebrity Apprentice."  The final task on Thursday's finale was to hold a charity event with The Backstreet Boys.  He managed to raise $250,000 which was added to the $250,000 prize money.  Morgan's charity is the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which provides help for families of U.S. military personnel who died in the line of duty.

Bon Jovi lead guitarist Richie Sambora has been arrested driving under the influence of alcohol.  Worse than that he had young children (one his daughter with Heather Locklear) in the car.  What else is there to say, sigh...

Halle Berry and her partner, model Gabriel Aubry, are celebrating the birth of their  baby girl.  It's the first child for the 41-year-old and her model/restaurateur beau. Her reps say everyone is doing fine in Los Angeles.   Update (3/19):  She has been named Nahla Ariela Aubry. Nahla is an Arabic-based name that means, "drink of water."

Actress Minnie Driver has confirmed reports she is expecting her first child during an interview on on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Thursday night after Leno commented she had gained weight.

American Idol judge Paula Abdul wants to settle down and start a family by 2013 - but won't hesitate to adopt if she doesn't find the right man in time.  She tells Britain's Now magazine, "I do (want children). I'll probably adopt because I think it'll be in the next three to five years. I wouldn't necessarily adopt from abroad like some celebs. I just want a healthy baby."

Meanwhile, Avril Lavigne's reported pregnancy was a hoax against the paparazzi by  Ms. Lavigne and the new E! show Pop Fiction.  She has voiced her disapproval about how they hound Britney.  She has labelled them as stalkers.

Britney Spears is taking baby steps to getting her life back on track.  Maybe when she smacked her head on that metal beam outside of the Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse, it knocked some sense into her.  Don't fret, my pets, she's fine. 

She has been working on the CBS sitcom, 'How I Met Your Mother', in which she portrays a receptionist in a dermatologist's office named Abby who crushes on Josh Radnor's character, Ted.

"Working at 'How I Met Your Mother' has been so terrific," Spears said in a statement Thursday. "Everyone, including the cast, the crew and the producers, has been wonderful and Abby is such a fun girl to play. I'm having a blast!"

Josh Radnor told People.com that "on the first day of the shoot, Britney knew her lines better than I knew mine. She's been great to work with."  The episode is scheduled to air on March 24.

Keep up the good work, Dad!

Jamie Lynn and her sister Britney were spotted at a baby boutique.  They purchased several light blue items so it looks like Jamie Lynn may be having a boy.  Britney claimed she was buying the stuff for her but the items seemed to young for her 2 boys.

Sometimes friend/sometimes lover/always moocher Adnan hit the swag suites on Britney’s name.  Although he hasn’t been spending as much time with Britney, Adnan Ghalib cashed in on Britney Spears’ fame during Oscars week by hitting some of the gifting suites on her behalf.  Yeah right.

Amy Winehouse was paid a reported million dollars for a one-time performance at Fendi’s new Avenue Montaigne boutique, and she did not disappoint. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Rhianna, Jessica Alba and Kanye West were among the 600 guests who attended the 40-minute performance.

At six months pregnant, Jessica Alba has a growing concern. Life & Style reports that she is worried about gaining all that pregnancy weight so she is exercising excessively.  Although it's fine to continue at the level of exercise you were accustomed to as long as everything stays healthy but taking things to an extreme is dangerous.

Despite their happy-on-the-outside public image, celebrity chef Rachael Ray and husband John Cusimano are headed for divorce, according to the National Enquirer. The magazine insists the relationship is “broken beyond repair” and will likely be over “before the year ends.”

Patrick Swayze, 55,is being treated for pancreatic cancer but is doing well enough to continue working, his representative said Wednesday. The New York Post and the National Enquirer, however, reported that Swayze is losing his battle to cancer.  The actor has two projects in the works: the movie "Powder Blue," and a television movie titled "The Beast," according to the Web site imdb.com. Both are scheduled for release this year.

Bai Ling was arrested for shoplifting at Los Angeles International Airport. She allegedly took a pack of batteries and two tabloid magazines. She faces petty theft charges. Her reason as told to E! News was that she was having an "emotionally crazy" day because she and her boyfriend broke up right before Valentine's Day.

Pink and Carey Hart have called it quits after 2 years of marriage. (What a shocker, she says sarcastically.)  Supposedly these two did their fair share of fooling around and it seems Pink was foolin' with the females (another shocker - not).  Both claim that they are and will remain the bestest friends.  Hope so.

GARY BUSEY, known to be, how shall I say...A KOOK! surprised everyone by interrupting an interview on the Oscars red carpet by bum rushing Ryan Seacrest saying he always wanted to meet him but then turned, hugged & kissed JENNIFER GARNER (whom he has never met) on the neck!  It was pretty clear, she did not like it.  She should have gotten all Sidney Bristow/Electra on his ass.

BRITNEY SPEARS has spent time with her young sons after SEAN PRESTON, two, and JAYDEN JAMES, one, on Saturday and again on Monday.  All went well so hopefully everyone can agree on a routine that would benefit everyone.

JAMIE LYNNE SPEARS, Britney's younger & pregnant sister has obtained her GED High School Diploma and is looking into college.

RIHANNA has launched an appeal for a bone marrow donor, after learning of a leukaemia-ridden New York mum-of-two's ongoing cancer battle. She has joined forces with DKMS - the world's largest non-profit marrow donor centre - to encourage people to help save the lives of others. Please help save Lisa Gershowitz Flynn's life. It's as simple as a cheek swab to see if you match.

HEPATITIS SCARE FOR THE CELEBRITY SET - A Sports Illustrated swimsuit party turned into a health scare for stars in Hollywood after a caterer working for celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck may have exposed them to acute Hepatitis A. Guests at the party included singer BEYONCE KNOWLES, former Guns N'Roses bassist Duff McKagan, "Borat" co-star Ken Davitian, and a bevy of models. 

This happens soon after celebrities DEMI MOORE, ASHTON KUTCHER, MADONNA, JAVIER BARDEM and hundreds of patrons of a New York bar, Socialista are urged by New York health officials to get a Hepatitis A vaccination after a bartender was found to be infected.

The red carpet definitely sizzled when Heidi Klum arrived in a red Galliano dress.

The fit was perfect, the train was long but not ridiculous and the dramatic collar framed her face and collarbone beautifully.

The Project Runway host accessorized her dress with earrings, rings and a cuff that featured rubies, kunzites and pink diamonds set in 18k rose gold all from the Heidi Klum Collection for Mouawad.

Heidi Klum is not only beautiful but funny too.  When PEOPLE as her about her oversized bun hairstyle she said," I have snacks stored up here."

It turns out that she's generous as well. 

Her dress will be auctioned off to raise funds for the Red Dress Campaign for Heart Truth, an initiative between Diet Coke and the National Institutes of Health to raise awareness of heart disease in women.

The dress will be made available as part of a contest at www.mycokerewards.com, and for every sweepstakes entry, Diet Coke will donate $1 (up to a total of $250,000) in support of women’s heart health research and awareness.

There really isn't an Oscar gift basket anymore, but there was still plenty of traffic at the Belvedere Vodka Lounge in The Four Seasons hotel. Stars were checking out the lounge’s offerings while sipping on one of Belvedere’s signature drinks, a non-alcoholic “Juno Virgin Fizz.”

Some picked up Ray-Bans from the Ilori Luxury Lounge and Freeze 24-7 skin-care products, a favorite of the Hollywood crowd thanks to it having an effect similar to Botox.

There was a twist to it this year.  Celebs were not only getting freebies but were giving as well.  Working Wardrobes, a non-profit organization that helps outfit adults in need with business attire was also there to accept donated items for auction.

The carpet wasn't the only thing red at the Oscars this year. Red was definitely a favorite for gowns this year. Red and shades of plum.

Katherine Heigl, Helen Mirren, Miley Cyrus, Julie Christie, Ruby Dee, Anne Hathaway and Heidi Klum were among the stars in red gowns Sunday night at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.

Shades of plum were worn by Cate Blanchett and Jessica Alba.

The other common theme was the strapless or off-the-shoulder theme. Hilary Swank in Versace, Olivia Thirlby in Vera Wang, Ann Hathaway in Marchesa and Katherine Heigl in Escada. Amy Ryan's one-shoulder, midnight-blue dress was custom-made by Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein.

Jennifer Garner looked amazing, as usual, in her strapless black gown by Oscar de la Renta. It had a flamenco dancer dress thing going on at the bottom.

I'm sure the fashion forward critics will say that most of the outfits were nice but 'safe' but I think everyone look great. It's nice to see people looking pretty for a change.

Avante guard and couture has it's place but the Red Carpet Award shows should be about Hollywood glamour and achievement. A dress should be a dress not a costume. No draping dead swans, for example. Not that there weren't plenty of feathers around. Jessica Alba and Penelope Cruz, had tasteful feather accents on their gowns.

There were very few patterned dresses, mostly solid, sophisticated, darker colors, with the exception of a few. Cameron Diaz wore a pretty light champagne pink strapless dress and Renee Zellwegger surprised no one showing up in a strapless, form-fitting, slit-up-to here, shiny, beaded glamour gown.

One dress that stood out was Marion Cotillard's ivory-and-silver gown by Jean Paul Gaultier. Did it fit well? Yes. Did she look good in it? Yes. But the scalloped fabric looked like fish scales, so all I kept thinking was Little Mermaid.

It was also nice to see dresses that flatter a well toned body as opposed to shrink wrapping it. Why don't you just spray paint yourself and be done with it?

As for the guys, lots of black tuxedos, white shirts and black ties, can't go wrong with that classic combination. 

P. Diddy, Keith Urban, Seal, Sean Penn, George Clooney, Harrison Ford, Jon Stewart, Regis Philbin, Daniel Day Lewis. 

When Johnny Depp was asked what he was wearing, he said, "Clothes!" (It was Armani).  Doesn't he look pleased with himself?