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Hope continues to dwindle for Wesley Snipes, whose movie star currency has tumbled mightily since his 1990s action hero heights, and who now faces trial on his October indictment for six years' worth of tax evasion. (What—you've never cried "861 argument" to get out of paying the IRS?) Left with few options, the actor once again finds himself falling back on his trusty Passenger 57 roulette-playing advice: "Always bet on black." From The Smoking Gun:

In a motion to dismiss an eight-count indictment filed last October, Snipes argues that he is the victim of selective prosecution. Snipes points to the fact that his two "Caucasian" codefendants, Douglas Rosile and Eddie Kahn, have not been charged with failure to file tax returns...

Snipes, who was hit with six felonies for failing to file between 1999-2004, contends that the half-dozen counts were "impermissibly [sic] brought on the basis of Mr. Snipes' race" and should be "dismissed based on selective prosecution."

We doubt Snipes desperate attempt at stirring up some race-baiting controversy will win him much sympathy from the courts, as the actor has submitting a claim so incendiary and outlandish that not even Al Sharpton would touch it with a ten-foot megaphone. No, if it's hard jail time he's seeking to avoid, the actor should have chosen to instead go through legitimate celebrity justice avenues, and quietly plea-bargained for a reduced sentenced. (Which, of course, would ultimately be tossed after a couple of nights, with wardens patiently explaining about the hidden costs of keeping a high-profile prisoner such as Snipes, who could unleash his kick-ass, demi-vampire martial arts skills on the other inmates at any given moment.)