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by nowarninglabel 5389 days ago
Saipan is indeed one of the most corrupt backwards places on Earth. I know because I've actually been there and got to know some of the locals and politics of the place while there.

To say more eloquently what bugsy was trying to express, while it is unclear if Mr. Millard did commit a crime, you must take into account that the people chasing him for supposed tax abuse are some of the most corrupt people on Earth. Much of that information is available on Wikipedia, but just read some of the websites of ex-pats and such and you will get a good idea. Thus, I would take anything said by anyone in the Saipanese government with a large grain of salt. Furthermore, even if Mr. Millard is guilty, if the Saipan government gets his money, it will be a negative outcome for everyone.
2 comments
GeorgeTirebiter 5389 days ago
I worked on a US Government contract to help the local colleges. Saipan is THE most corrupt and backward place on the planet, no question about it. I've spent about three months there over several years, and while the locals not in positions of power are pleasant, the politicians and others are the laziest group I've ever known. They do whatever they can to scam the US government into giving them "grants" for all sorts of line-their-own-pockets kinds of gigs.

I thought then when I was doing this project I was "helping" these folks who didn't have all we have. BS! I wasted my time and my life helping ungrateful people who ripped me off. I would not trust Saipan in any dealing with money involved.

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Steko 5389 days ago
A negative outcome for all of us would be to have a 20+ year tax cheat end up owing nothing. You can bet the plutocracy will be watching this case closely.
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dhbanes 5389 days ago
Excuse me, but why do you believe Millard to be guilty of tax evasion? The fact that the WSJ claims him to be does not make it so. Here is some more information about Millard, you can find it by restricting your google search to items published before 9/1/11 - http://articles.latimes.com/1986-08-25/business/fi-16194_1_t...

It seems there was more talk about the fact that Saipan was trying get his money by changing their tax laws, not that he fled the US because he was wanted for tax evasion as the WSJ article makes it sound.

edit: for clarity

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Steko 5389 days ago
"why do you believe Millard to be guilty of tax evasion?"

Why wouldn't I believe it?

As you yourself mention, the WSJ said so.

At least one jury decided he did.

Judges have reviewed the facts and issued a number of gag order backed subpoenas.

50+ shell companies.

Disappears from view for 20 years.

etc.

Occam's razor, QED.

Cmon, you're going to bat for this guy with a 25 year old article that predates the "alleged" evasion?

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