Court upholds Douglas Bruce convictions for tax evasion

The Colorado Court of Appeals upheld the convictions for tax evasion and other charges that sent anti-tax activist Douglas Bruce to jail for six months in 2012.

The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reports that the court’s three-judge panel on Thursday declined to overturn Bruce’s convictions in Denver District Court. He was found guilty of tax evasion, filing a false tax return, attempting to influence a public servant, and failure to file a return or pay taxes.

Bruce is best known for being the author of the voter-approved Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill or Rights. It limits how much tax revenue the government can keep, and requires voter-approval for taxes.

Bruce had claimed he earned no money when he filed his Colorado 2005 income tax return. But records show he earned $40,000.