Letter from Eric Hovind

Dear Friends,
As many of you know, the past several years have been a whirlwind of activity for Creation Science Evangelism and the Hovind family. In November of 2006, my dad, Dr. Hovind, was convicted on three federal charges, and in January of 2007 was sentenced to ten years in federal prison. Despite the bad press, and the many misunderstandings, I am convinced that my dad is totally innocent of the charges brought before him. Currently he has served two and one-half years of his ten-year sentence and is in South Carolina at the Edgefield Prison Camp. My mother was also convicted on one charge, and in July of 2007 was sentenced to one year and a day in prison. However, she was granted a stay request pending the outcome of an appeal. On January 1, 2009, I received the notice that the 11th Circuit upheld every decision made by the district court and now my parents are both imprisoned... more here:
http://www.drdino.com/legalupdate.ph...+Entire+Letter...

[Luke]

You know what I am sick of? The inevitable responses about Kent Hovind breaking the law.

Why do we pray for men in other countries who stand up for truth and are persecuted, shot, killed, dismembered, imprisoned etc, but when someone in our own country does it (I'm pretending I am american for 5 minutes), heaps of people say "Oh, he was a King James nut, and should have paid his taxes, and he should be in jail". God bless the man for standing up against a corrupt government. And God bless him for his persecution which he endures.

Anyone see a double standard below... nahhh, couldn't be.

Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle withdrew from consideration for a Cabinet post AFTER it was found he owed $140,000 in back taxes and fines. Four prominent Democratic senators spoke out publicly in support of Daschle. On Feb 2, 2009, the White House called Daschle's tax debt a "serious mistake," but announced that Obama "absolutely" supports his nomination to be his Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner won confirmation to his Cabinet post under Obama -- running the agency that runs the Internal Revenue Service -- only AFTER paying $34,000 in back taxes that were discovered owed during the administration's vetting of him.

Nancy Killefer, who was in line to become the Obama's first "Chief Performance Officer," (!) withdrew from consideration after it was disclosed that she had failued to pay unemployment compensation tax. She hadn't paid the lien filed in 2005 for a year and a half.

Ron Kirk, President Barack Obama's nominee for trade representative also has a history of tax problems—The Senate Finance Comittee reports that Kirk, a former mayor of Dallas, owes roughly $10,000 in back federal taxes and has finally agreed to pay them. At the same time, Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) says the ex-mayor is the right man for the post of trade representative, and he will try to move the nominee's confirmation along quickly... (?)

[Winman]

Well, if you are a strong supporter of abortion, embryonic stem cell research, the banning of Intelligent Design or Creationism in schools, displays of religion in public buildings and parks, banning firearms, and most importantly Socialism.... you can probably get away with not paying taxes. You might even get a Cabinet position in the current administration.

But if you go to high schools and colleges across the nation and teach people the truth, somebody is going to pick up the phone and call the IRS on you.

Now we know why Democrats don't mind raising taxes-- they don't pay them.

It's OK, I bet Kent will lead dozens of prisoners to the Lord. You can't keep a good man down.

[stephanos]

Originally Posted by Luke

You know what I am sick of? The inevitable responses about Kent Hovind breaking the law.

Why do we pray for men in other countries who stand up for truth and are persecuted, shot, killed, dismembered, imprisoned etc, but when someone in our own country does it (I'm pretending I am american for 5 minutes), heaps of people say "Oh, he was a King James nut, and should have paid his taxes, and he should be in jail". God bless the man for standing up against a corrupt government. And God bless him for his persecution which he endures.

Yep, I've had at least a half dozen people criticize my support for Hovind because he supposedly broke the law. It's completely rediculous tbh. I wish I could take his place in prison so that he could continue to teach creation science.

For Jesus' sake,
Stephen

[Winman]

Did you see Kent Hovind's letter at that link? Here is a portion of his letter:

Meanwhile, the assistant U.S. attorney continues to attempt to seize the ministry property. The government figured that the "damages" our "structuring" caused was $3,500, yet they want to seize $430,000 from me based on Title 21 drug laws! Because I do not have the money, they want to seize and auction off the ministry property! There are nearly twenty-five people living on the premises that would be displaced. Pray for Eric and the church attorney to have wisdom to stop this.

Unbelieveable, Daschle owed $140,000, Geithner $34,000, and Kirk $10,000. These guys are running around free and the IRS is not trying to take their property.

I'm thinking maybe Hovind needs a new lawyer.

[Rolando]

I thank God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ for brothers like Kent Hovind. His seminars (seven part series) have been a huge blessing to me! The LORD have used them to strengthen my faith, and even my unsaved little brother (who claims to be saved but I believe not because he at first couldn't believe Jesus was the ONLY way, is VERY worldly, doesn't care about the things of God, and has no Holy Spirit conviction) enjoyed them. I guess all I can do for now is to continue praying to our LORD for our brother Kent Hovind.

[chette777]

I think Kent Hovin has done a good job in his field as a creation scientist.

However the charges were not trumped up as so many are led to believe. his Organization failed to give W2'and 1040 forms to those who had been receiving money from the Organization and those receiving the money did not claim it at the end of the year as income. They failed to withhold income tax dividends and send them to the IRS each quarter Bi annual or annually. This could be also charged as money laundering. W2's show the tax withheld and sent to the IRS, 1040 show the income given but no tax deducted.

All the organization had to do was keep records of all money coming in, file W2's and 1040's at the end of each year for individuals, and them they themselves file. Then send the tax withheld to the IRS at the end of each quarter it is all very simple.

Kent was involved with a group (and may still be) who believe that paying taxes is illegal so he did not deduct them for his employees tax nor did he file tax each year for his Organization and himself.

Romans 13 tells us to obey the governing authority for they are ordained of God. Paying taxes imposed by our governing authority is our duty as Christian’s whether we believe it is legal or not is not the question. We are to obey God’s word never the less over anything any men may teach on this matter.

If one does not obey the word of God they are in sin. The result in this case of Mr Hovinds sin is tax crime convictions of a failure to report money properly and withholding taxes a prescribed by law for employees an d himself. But never the less it was a failure to submit to the rules of the Govt concerning taxation of wages and how it is to be handled. He could be innocent being ignorant of the laws but there was no reason for it for so many years. This was not a one time thing this had gone on for years. So he serves time for sin that is to be expected.

He is no Joseph in this matter. These are not false charges. So beware of worshiping men even if they may seem good and godly. He made a mistake he should admit it and do the time and move on.

[stephanos]

I'm sorry Chette, but I just don't believe you.

Letter from Eric Hovind

Dear Friends,

As many of you know, the past several years have been a whirlwind of activity for Creation Science Evangelism and the Hovind family. In November of 2006, my dad, Dr. Hovind, was convicted on three federal charges, and in January of 2007 was sentenced to ten years in federal prison. Despite the bad press, and the many misunderstandings, I am convinced that my dad is totally innocent of the charges brought before him. Currently he has served two and one-half years of his ten-year sentence and is in South Carolina at the Edgefield Prison Camp. My mother was also convicted on one charge, and in July of 2007 was sentenced to one year and a day in prison. However, she was granted a stay request pending the outcome of an appeal. On January 1, 2009, I received the notice that the 11th Circuit upheld every decision made by the district court and now my parents are both imprisoned. We took my mother, Jo, to prison on January 20, to begin serving her sentence. Please pray that God will give her strength as she goes through this difficult time.

Our attorneys sought to have the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals reexamine the case because the decision appears to legally conflict with previous Supreme Court rulings. However, the 11th Circuit denied hearing the case any further. This recent decision is a huge disappointment for those who realize the many questions of law involved in the case and who have prayed so fervently for the case to be overturned. This appeal would have provided opportunity to present arguments which could have released Dr. Hovind, dismissed Mrs. Hovind's sentence, and rescinded the confiscation of CSE property. With this most recent decision by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Court has determined that CSE may be forced to forfeit its property to the government. We are currently in litigation concerning this very issue.

We are seeking God's direction in this matter, and we pray that these legal problems will not get the best of this vital ministry. I have no interest in fighting legal battles. I just want to win souls. This is why CSE exists, and I hope that you will join us in praying for God's will concerning this situation. One thing we know for sure, God will glorify Himself, regardless of the outcome.

For those interested in a more detailed update, we have arranged a series of conference calls. Click here to view the conference call schedule.

Despite the legal battles, our team continues to push forward presenting the creation message in a fresh new way.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support!
Letter from Dr. Kent Hovind

Dear Friends,

The 11th Circuit denied our appeal without addressing many issues. Meanwhile, my wife was ordered to report to prison on January 20, 2009 to serve her one-year-and-one-day sentence.

Lindsey Springer is gathering money and support to take this case to the Supreme Court. There are several key issues in our case that, if won, could help scores of churches, ministries, and individuals in the future.

Meanwhile, the assistant U.S. attorney continues to attempt to seize the ministry property. The government figured that the "damages" our "structuring" caused was $3,500, yet they want to seize $430,000 from me based on Title 21 drug laws! Because I do not have the money, they want to seize and auction off the ministry property! There are nearly twenty-five people living on the premises that would be displaced. Pray for Eric and the church attorney to have wisdom to stop this.

The ministry continues to send out DVDs in twenty-nine languages and reports come in every day of saved souls! If I were the devil, I would hate this outreach and try to stop it as well!

Like Joseph (Gen. 40:15), Job (Job 2:3; 27:5; 31:6), and Paul (Acts 25:10), I continue to maintain my innocence and integrity. God will be the final Judge (see Hebrews 9:27)! Be ready for that day!

My prison life is easy compared to many in the Bible and in Muslim and communist countries today. I am safe, rested, and in shape, and I have lots of time to read, write, and witness. Of the 490 men here probably one hundred are active in Christian studies and services.



Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What were the accusations against Dr. Hovind and what was his defense?

1. Failure to withhold employee-related taxes:

Explanation:
From the start of the ministry, Dr. Hovind sought legal counsel on the proper way to compensate those who would serve with him in the ministry. He was told by several attorneys that as a 508 organization, CSE was not required to withhold taxes and that each person serving would be responsible for paying their own income taxes. For seventeen years the ministry operated without incident, and no notice was ever given to CSE or Dr. Hovind that the IRS wanted any changes made on this issue until the day the charges were brought.


2.Structuring cashing transactions in order to evade bank reporting requirements:

Explanation:
Up until 2003, CSE withdrew cash in order to compensate those who served at CSE. There was no knowledge of bank secrecy laws and never any intention of evading Internal Revenue Service regulations.


3.Threatening and impeding the investigation of a government agency:

Explanation:
Because Dr. Hovind filed papers questioning actions of the IRS, which was his legal right, he was charged with "impeding" the agency. They also believed he "threatened agents with bodily harm" by praying for those involved on public radio.

I for one support Hovind 100% and believe that what he was doing was legal (despite what you and others may say) and that he was not acting out in rebellion to what the Word of God says.

For Jesus' sake,
Stephen