Actor makes comment about trial

OCALA, Fla. (AP) - Wesley Snipes has made his first public comments since his tax evasion trial began.

He says he has "always been paying" his taxes and trying to comply with federal tax rules.

But the actor claims the problem has been with the IRS, not with him. His attorneys have claimed Snipes tried to get the IRS to clarify his claim that he isn't liable to pay income taxes, but didn't get a response.

Snipes and two co-defendants are charged with seeking millions of dollars in refunds for taxes they'd already paid. Snipes is also accused of failing to file returns for several years straight.

If convicted, he could get up to 16 years in prison if convicted on all counts, although sentences that long are unusual.

Yesterday, the defense in the case rested without calling a single witness.