Kent Hovind

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Kent Hovind

Born Kent E. Hovind
January 15, 1953 (1953-01-15) (age 55)
USA
Residence Pensacola, Florida, currently housed in the Federal Correctional Institution, Edgefield (South Carolina)
Occupation Evangelist, Christian theme park operator
Known for Advocate of Young Earth Creationism, conspiracy theorist, convicted of tax-related crimes
Religious beliefs Independent Baptist,[1]
Spouse Jo Delia Hovind
Children Kent Andrew Hovind
Eric Hovind
Marlissa Jewell
Website
Creation Science Evangelism

Kent E. Hovind (born January 15, 1953) is an American Young Earth creationist and conspiracy theorist currently serving time in federal prison for tax-related crimes. He is most famous for creation science seminars, which aim to convince listeners to believe in biblical creation and to reject evolution, the Big Bang, and the 4.5 billion year age of the Earth. Hovind's views are criticized by the scientific community, and even some fellow Young Earth creationist (YEC) organizations like Answers In Genesis (AIG).[2]

Hovind established the Creation Science Evangelism ministry in 1989[3] and, before his incarceration, frequently argued for Young Earth creationism in his talks at private schools and churches, at debates, and on radio and television broadcasts.

Since January 2007 Hovind has been serving a ten-year term in the Federal Correctional Institution, Edgefield in Edgefield, South Carolina, for 58 tax offenses, obstructing federal agents and related charges.[4]

Contents

[edit] Biography

On February 9, 1969, at the age of 16, Hovind became a born again Christian. In 1971, he graduated from East Peoria Community High School. He holds three degrees in Christian education (1974, 1988, 1991) from unaccredited institutions. He is married, and has three adult children and four grandchildren. His son, Eric Hovind, travels doing creationist presentations and debates using many of his father's arguments.[5]

Starting in 1975 Hovind became an assistant pastor and teacher at three private Baptist schools.[6] Then in the 1980s he opened a Baptist school and church at which he taught and pastored.[6] As these were private schools, Hovind did not require any teaching credentials or accredited qualifications[7] (which he lacks).[8] In 1989, Hovind started Creation Science Evangelism.[9] In 1998, Hovind created his Dr. Dino web site and began producing articles and selling video tapes, books as well as fossil replicas.

Prior to his convictions, Hovind spoke at churches, private schools, and other venues each year. In 2004, Hovind was interviewed on Da Ali G Show, in an episode titled "Science" from the first season of the show's U.S. run on HBO. "Ali G", played by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, told Hovind that the fact that Hovind ate bananas proved that he was descended from monkeys.[10] He also hosted a daily internet radio talk show and has established Dinosaur Adventure Land in Pensacola, Florida.

[edit] Controversy over education

In 1971 he graduated from East Peoria Community High School in East Peoria, Illinois. From 1972 until 1974, Hovind attended the non-accredited Midwestern Baptist College and received a Bachelor of Religious Education (B.R.E.).[6] In 1988 and 1991 respectively, Hovind was awarded a master's degree and doctorate in Christian Education through correspondence from the non-accredited Patriot University in Colorado Springs, Colorado (now Patriot Bible University in Del Norte, Colorado which no longer offers this program).[11]

Front view of the Patriot Bible University in Del Norte, Colorado taken on November 22, 2006.
Front view of the Patriot Bible University in Del Norte, Colorado taken on November 22, 2006.

Having a website called "Dr. Dino," has provoked some academics to closely look at how Hovind presents his education and credentials.[12] Chemistry professor Karen Bartelt has said that it is "very unusual for a person with a Ph.D., even a real one," [emphasis in original] to list oneself in the phonebook as "Dr Hovind", as Hovind has done.[12] Barbara Forrest, a professor of philosophy, expert on the history of creationism and activist in the Creation-evolution controversy, wrote that Hovind's lack of academic training makes it impossible to engage him on a professional level.[13] Other critics of Hovind have charged that Patriot Bible University is a diploma mill, as it has unreasonably low graduation requirements, lack of sufficient faculty or educational standards, and a suspicious tuition scheme.[9] The school's current policies allow students to attain bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and even "Doctor of Ministry" degrees in months, rather than years, for as little as $25 per month. Currently Patriot offers a monthly fee, unlike most universities, which only charge per-credit fees.[14]

Bartelt has stated Hovind's doctoral dissertation is evidence of the poor requirements at Patriot and that Hovind lacks knowledge of basic science.[12] Bartelt noted that Hovind's dissertaton is incomplete (contains four chapters totaling 101 pages, but Hovind's introduction claims the work is 250 pages with 16 chapters), of low academic quality, poor writing, poor spelling, poor grammatical style, pages are repeated, references are absent, and it is not original work with original ideas.[12][15] In the past when questioned about his education and qualifications, Hovind has said his critics use ad hominem arguments.[11] Patriot Bible University has issued similar comments.[16]

Patriot will not send copies of Hovind's doctoral dissertation except with his permission.[12] As a general rule, doctoral dissertations are published by the associated university and made available to the public, so that other students conducting research in similar areas may use the information in the dissertation as a reference.[12] Although one copy of the dissertation is on file at the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) the organization is not able to provide it on request because of copyright and distribution restrictions.[12]

[edit] Creation Science Evangelism

After receiving his first correspondence degree, Hovind started the Creation Science Evangelism ministry (CSE) in 1989. The ministry aims to evangelize people by teaching them a creationist perspective. This ministry does not have the proper licensing nor is it registered as a nonprofit, which resulted in legal troubles mentioned below.

As of January 2007, Eric Hovind, Kent's son, currently runs CSE due to his father's ten year prison term.[17] After finishing high school at Pensacola Christian Academy in 1996[18], Eric attended Jackson Hole Bible College[19] a one-year[20] non-accredited institution.[21] In 2008, CSE employee Jonathan Sampson launched creationguys.com, where Eric Hovind is a frequent guest.[22]

[edit] Dinosaur Adventure Land

Entrance to the park
Entrance to the park
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In 2001 Hovind started Dinosaur Adventure Land, a young earth creationist theme park located behind Hovind's home in Pensacola, Florida. The park depicts humans and dinosaurs co-existing in the last 4,000-6,000 years and also contains a depiction of the Loch Ness monster.[23] Dinosaurs are a center piece in Hovind's website and creation advocacy because "the creation world view says dinosaurs have always lived with man and there might still be a few alive today."[24] In 2004 the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry visited Hovind's dinosaur theme park and said that the park is deceptive and purposely misleads visitors.[25] The Southern Poverty Law Center noted the park also "claims that a few small dinosaurs still roam the planet."[26]

The venture has encountered legal issues, as the owners failed to acquire a building permit for the park (see below). Although Hovind's ten properties, including DAL, may be subject to forfeiture in connection with Kent Hovind's federal tax problems, Eric Hovind and Glen Stoll have tried to prevent the forfeitures.[27] The government is seeking the property, deeded to Stoll and Eric prior to Hovind's convictions, since cash that Hovind withdrew from his bank accounts cannot be recovered.[27] The law allows property transfered to third parties to be recovered, but the judge has not ruled on the forfeiture yet.[27]

[edit] Earnings and assets

According to the IRS, Hovind reportedly earned $50,000 a year through speaking engagements and, in 2002 alone, the ministry sold more than $1.8 million in Christian merchandise.[28] Also, Hovind's theme park and merchandise sales earned more than $5 million USD from 1999 to March 2004.[29] On average, they say, Hovind "has made deposits to bank accounts well in excess of $1 million per year."[30] Eventually that grew to about $2 million a year.[31]. About half that income went to employees who were salaried or were paid hourly wages. However, Hovind derived "substantial revenue" from these activities that appeared to be "income to [him] personally."[32] Including DAL land, Hovind also owned at least 10 properties.[33]

[edit] Creationism

[edit] The Hovind Theory

Hovind summarizes his widely disputed version of the young Earth creation story into the self-titled “Hovind Theory" taken from a variety of creationist sources.[34][35] The model includes the following explanation of the Biblical account of Noah: Noah's family and two of every "kind" of animal (including young dinosaurs)[36] safely boarded the Ark before a minus 300° F (~-184°C) ice meteor came flying toward the earth and broke up in space. Some of the meteor fragments became rings and others caused the impact craters on the moon and some of the planets. The remaining ice fragments fell to the north and south poles of the earth.

The resulting "super-cold snow" fell near the poles, burying the mammoths standing up.[37] Ice on the North and South pole cracked the crust of the earth releasing the fountains of the deep, which in turn caused certain ice age effects, namely the glacier effects. This made the earth "wobble around" and collapsed the vapor canopy that protected it.

During the first few months of the flood, the dead animals and plants were buried, and became oil and coal, respectively. The last few months of the flood included geological instability, when the plates shifted. This period saw the formation of both ocean basins and mountain ranges and the resulting water run-off caused incredible erosion — Hovind says that the Grand Canyon was formed in a couple of weeks during this time.[38] After a few hundred years, the ice caps slowly melted back retreating to their current size and the ocean levels increased, creating the continental shelves. The deeper oceans absorbed much of the carbon dioxide in earth’s atmosphere and thus allowed greater amounts of radiation to reach the earth's surface. As a result, human lifespans were shortened considerably in the days of Peleg.

Karen Bartlet, a chemist, commented that Hovind's "message appeals to those who are unaware that his 'evidence' is without merit."[39] The scientific community rejects Young Earth Creationism.[40] Furthermore, the plausibility of the Hovind Theory has been criticized by both scientists and other young Earth creationists.[41][42][43]

Hovind's ideas have been published in the controversial Chick Tracts, comic strips intended to convert people to Fundamentalist Christianity.[44]

[edit] Hovind's $250,000 offer

According to Hovind's website, he has offered $10,000 since 1990 to those who can "prove the theory of evolution."[45] He has since raised the prize to $250,000.[46]

I have a standing offer of $250,000 to anyone who can give any empirical evidence (scientific proof) for evolution.* My $250,000 offer demonstrates that the hypothesis of evolution is nothing more than a religious belief.[45]

Critics view this offer to be spurious because of the conditions which Hovind imposes. At the time, Hovind commonly insisted that evolution and atheism were synonymous,[9] even though belief in a deity or deities is unrelated to evolution in any way and the two are clearly not mutually exclusive. The asterisk denotes the terms that he claims show significant gaps in the gradual progression predicted by the theory of evolution. In fact he challenged the world to prove a non-mainstream "theory of evolution" which he defined himself. The new theory, as outlined below, has very little in common with the theory accepted by the scientific world:

*NOTE: When I use the word evolution, I am not referring to the minor variations found in all of the various life forms (microevolution). I am referring to the general theory of evolution which believes these five major events took place without God:

1. Time, space, and matter came into existence by themselves.
2. Planets and stars formed from space dust.
3. Matter created life by itself.
4. Early life-forms learned to reproduce themselves.
5. Major changes occurred between these diverse life forms (i.e., fish changed to amphibians, amphibians changed to reptiles, and reptiles changed to birds or mammals).

[edit] Responses

Critics argue that the offer is merely a publicity stunt, that it is deliberately designed to be impossible to win because it requires the claimant to disprove all possible theories for the origin of species, no matter how ridiculous, "Prove beyond reasonable doubt that the process of evolution ... is the only possible way the observed phenomena could have come into existence," states his FAQ.[45] This, critics say, reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of both science and the scientific method.

Unlike Hovind, scientists in the field of evolutionary biology do not distinguish between so-called "micro" and "macro" evolution as distinct processes. They contend all evolution takes place on a "micro" level, and that macroevolution is cumulative microevolution.[47] Creationists have invented this distinction between micro and macro evolution as a way of explaining observable genetic mutations such as flu viruses, while rationalizing that this process is somehow different from what modern scientists consider the basic process of genetic mutation and evolution as a result thereof.

Critics also say that his description of evolution does not match with the scientific definition and that he conflates evolution with other unrelated issues in the description of his challenge. The above definition of "evolution" which Hovind asks respondents to meet differs from the one used by scientists. By the generally accepted definition of "evolution", only item number 5 deals with the process of evolution. Items 1 and 2 fall under cosmology and astronomy, while items 3 and 4 refer to abiogenesis. Furthermore, it would be impossible to prove gravity under the same conditions as Hovind requires[48], and furthermore absolutely impossible to prove claims made in the Bible.

Some creationists also do not approve of Hovind's offer. Answers in Genesis said it "would prefer that 'creationists' refrained from gimmicks like this."[2]

Hovind has said a panel of judges would decide if a claim had met his criteria, but he has refused to say who would be (or is) on that panel. He has even refused to say what their qualifications might be. Challengers who have submitted claims to Hovind have become convinced that he does not actually use a panel of judges, in spite of his promise to do so.[49] In one case, after twice stating that he would send a particular response to his judges (according to his website any responses he sent were considered "legitimate"[45]) Hovind then reneged stating, "Thanks for reminding me about not sending minor changes to the committee. This would be a waste of time for everyone involved. If you ever get any evidence that does support evolution please send it to me". The respondant was not amused and felt that this indicated dishonesty on Hovind's part and confirmed suspicions of the public that he never intended to pay.[50]

The winter 2005 issue of Skeptic included an article titled "Doubting Dr. Dino" by Adam Kisby.[51] Kisby lays out Hovind's arguments in formal logic, and says that the assumptions "God is a necessary cause of the universe" and "The universe is eternal, i.e., un-caused" lead to contradictions. Kisby sent his proof to Hovind and reports that "many weeks later I received a terse reply from Hovind in which he dogmatically rejected my proof." Hovind's reason was "the universe is evidence of a Designer - not proof there is no Designer." Thus Kisby concluded "I contend that either my proof is technically correct or Hovind's $250,000 offer is fundamentally flawed. If my proof is correct, then Hovind is constrained by the terms of his offer to release the money. On the other hand if Hovind's offer is flawed then he is morally obligated to withdraw it or modify it."[51] The Spring 2006 issue of Skeptic contained criticisms of Kisby's proposed proof.[52] Others have approached Hovind in regard to the challenge, addressing it from perspectives ranging from "Large-scale Evolution" to the "Big Bang Theory"[51] to polar bears.[50] Hovind has yet to follow through on his offer.

[edit] Criticism

[edit] From creationists

Hovind has been criticized by other creationists, including young earth creationists and old earth creationists who believe that many of his arguments are invalid and, consequently, undermine their cause. Disagreements over how to respond to Hovind's claims have themselves contributed to acrimony between creationist organizations. The Australian and U.S. arms of Answers in Genesis (AiG) were critical of Hovind ([53]), after Hovind had criticized[54] an AiG position document "Arguments we think creationists should NOT use".[55] In particular AIG criticized Hovind for "persistently us[ing] discredited or false arguments".[2]

The U.S arm of AiG, led by Ken Ham had an acrimonious split with its Australian parent in 2005. The Australian organization then split itself entirely off, now styling themselves as Creation Ministries International. Material critical of Hovind was no longer available on the U.S Answers In Genesis website, whereas the Australian CMI website still chose to retain the critical material.[56] The CMI article written by Carl Wieland and Jonathan Sarfati stated that the claims made by Hovind are "fraudulent" and contain "mistakes in facts and logic which do the creationist cause no good."[57][53] CMI also criticized Hovind for using "fraudulent claims" made by Ron Wyatt in his claims.[53]. CMI and others have concluded that in dampening their criticism of Hovind, AiG have endorsed Hovind and his ministry.

Additionally, Hovind debated creationist Hugh Ross on the John Ankerberg Show in October 2000. Ross said Hovind was "misrepresenting the field" of different sciences.[58]

Hovind has stated that carbon dating — a method used by scientists to estimate the age of various objects and events — is unreliable.[59] He has been criticized by Greg Neyman of Answers in Creation (an old Earth creationist group), who says that in Hovind's statements "Hovind goes on to show that he knows absolutely nothing about the science of Carbon Dating."[60] Neyman says that Hovind's claim that "scientists assume the amount of carbon-14 is constant" is wrong, and Neyman writes "there are many periods of decreasing C-14, which disproves his theory that the earth is young based on C-14 equilibrium."[60]

[edit] From non-creationists

Prior to his convictions, Hovind debated atheists, Christians, skeptics, and scientists. In May 2004 Michael Shermer debated Hovind in front of a predominantly creationist audience. In Shermer's online reflection while explaining he won the debate with intellectual and scientific evidence he felt it was "not an intellectual exercise," but rather it was "an emotional drama."[61] While receiving positive responses from creationist observers, Shermer concluded "Unless there is a subject that is truly debatable with a format that is fair, in a forum that is balanced, it only serves to belittle both the magisterium of science and the magisterium of religion."[61] Others, like evolutionary biologist Massimo Pigliucci, have debated Hovind, and have expressed surprise at what they view as Hovind's ignorance of evolutionary theory.[62] Pigliucci indicated surprise at hearing Hovind try "to convince the audience that evolutionists believe humans came from rocks" and at Hovind's assertion that biologists believe humans "evolved from bananas."[63]

In Hovind's debates, he traditionally focuses on points that he claims serve to discredit evolutionary theory, physical cosmology, and geology. He also presents what he claims is evidence for a Biblical flood, a young earth, and the canopy theory. Conventional scientists working in the appropriate fields[64] as well as some young Earth creationists,[65] do not agree with Hovind's assertions.

Others criticize Hovind for his involvement with Arkansas state Representative Jim Holt's Anti-Evolution Bill in 2001 (House Bill 2548).[66] This bill "would have required that when public schools refer to evolution that it be identified as an unproven theory." Some politicians claimed this bill "would have made Arkansas a laughingstock."[67] Holt called upon Hovind as an expert who "testified for Holt before the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee, alleging much of the information pertaining to evolution in our science textbooks is false."[66] As for the legislation, "Holt admitted much of the information in his bill came from Jonathan Wells' Icons of Evolution."[66]

Critics charge that Kent Hovind's creation/evolution presentations are a mix of Christian Fundamentalism and conspiracy theories.[61] The Southern Poverty Law Center has criticized Hovind because of his selling of books such as Des Griffin's Fourth Reich of the Rich, and recommending The Protocols of the Elders of Zion (an established hoax that has been widely used as a justification for antisemitism).[68] The Center claimed that Hovind accuses Darwinism of having produced "Communism, Socialism, Nazism, abortion, liberalism and the New Age Movement."[68] The Center also quotes Hovind as claiming that "democracy is evil and contrary to God's law."[68] Hovind has stated: "I love the Jews. But The Protocols of Zion [sic] was written to explain how to control the world, I mean, it lays it all out. But it’s really carefully done so that if it is ever discovered the Jews take the blame for it."[38]

The SPLC also criticized Hovind for "point[ing] his followers to Citizens Rule Book, popular among antigovernment "Patriots"; Media Bypass, an antigovernment magazine with strong antisemitic leanings; and titles by America's leading authority on tax-dodging, Irwin Schiff"[69] (Schiff has since been convicted and sentenced to 13 years in prison).

[edit] Controversial remarks

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Hovind has made controversial remarks regarding conspiracies, science, creation, equal rights, religion and government over the years. Hovind considers the King James Version of the Bible to be the inerrant word of God that must be taken literally and believes there are no contradictions in it.[70] Because of this, he believes all findings of science will eventually be found to agree with Scripture — which he says is a priori known to be true.[71] He claims that scientists also have a priori assumptions, namely that God does not exist (or at least not one that performed special creation).[72][73][74] Hovind maintains that biology textbooks are lying and that he considers evolution to be a religion.[75] Specifically, he claims that "all" evidence "used to support the evolution theory are errors."[76] His reasons is that there is a conspiracy "brainwashing" youth and that "evolution theory supports communism, Nazism, socialism, and the New World Order."[77] In addition, he claims "I am not trying to get the evolution theory out of the schools."[78]

Hovind has several conspiracy theories about the U.S. government. He believes that Laetrile actually works as a "cancer cure" and teaches that the US government is conspiring to suppress a cure for cancer.[25] On his radio program he has said that the U.S. government was behind the 9/11 attacks and that a "lot of folks were told not to come to work."[79][reliable source needed] He also believes the Oklahoma City bombing was carried out by the government. "Did you know the Federal Government blew up their own building to blame it on the militias and to get rid of some people that weren't cooperating with the system?"[80] Regarding UFOs Hovind recommends books by conspiracy theorists who believe "some UFO’s are U.S. Government experiments with electrogravitic propulsion as opposed to jet propulsion, while others are Satanic apparitions."[81] Additionally, Hovind believes that the Federal Reserve, the Council on Foreign Relations, the United Nations, and various other groups are actively planning to create a one world government and that the 1993 World Trade Center attack was staged by the US Government in order to pass "anti-terrorism" legislation that restricts civil liberties. He says, "I love my country, but fear my government. And you should too."[82] He also believes there is no such thing as the separation of church and state,[83] and opposes public schools.[84]

Hovind has also alleged that there is a conspiracy surrounding taxes, the New World Order, and communism while he promotes tax protesting. Hovind wrote "Although it is tempting for me to go off on a tangent from my creation ministry and spend much time warning people of the communist origin (Karl Marx thought it up in 1848 and pro communists Colonel E. House, Roosevelt, Rockefeller and Sen. Nelson Aldrich implemented it in 1913.) and unconstitutional nature (it violates the 4th, 5th, 13th and 14th amendments) of the current tax system, I will resist that temptation and leave it to others to fight that battle."[85] Hovind further alleged "I sincerely believe that I am not a person required to file a Federal Income Tax Return. This belief is a result of extensive research that I have done."[85] On obeying tax laws, he argued "Some will say, 'The Bible teaches us to obey the authority over us.' I agree and I do. The IRS is not the authority over me any more than the government of Japan is."[85] Hovind further offered information and resources for people to avoid paying taxes and no longer residents of the United States.[85]

As part of his "one world government" conspiracy theory, Hovind also believes that NAFTA[86], HIV, West Nile virus, Gulf war syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Wegener's disease, Parkinson's disease, Crohn's colitis, Type I diabetes, and collagen-vascular diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer's were all engineered by "the money masters and governments of the world" for the purpose of global economic domination.[87] Hovind believes "Satan has been using the great pyramid as his symbol for the New World Order."[88] Hovind believes that computer microchips "may be forerunners of the mark of the beast."[89] Regarding barcodes and the security strip on money, Hovind stated they are tied to a government plot in which barcodes and the "magnetic tape through the center of the paper" money "is of the same type that is on the back of your credit card" for tracking money and people.[90] Thus, the government "want[s] to be able to track the money and find out where it goes."[91] The aim, he believes, is to put "a chip into each of the major muscles and network them together so that a paralyzed person would be able to get some movement from their muscles" so that there "is going to be a system where you cannot buy or sell without the mark in the hands or in the forehead."[92]

Hovind disregards all fossil evidence, saying that "no fossils can count as evidence for evolution," because "all we know about that animal is that it died," and we do not know that it "had any kids, much less different kids."[93]. Also for different races, Hovind believes the best explanation for when races as well as "all families, countries, nations, and tongues were created or developed from" the Tower of Babel Bible story (Genesis 10:20).[94]

During a debate with Farrell Till, Hovind made the following statement about Donald Johanson: "[He] found the leg bones of Lucy a mile and a half away from the head bones. The leg bones were 200 feet deeper in a deeper layer of strata. I would like to know how fast the train was going that hit that chimpanzee."[95] According to Donald Johanson, this is false, and although Hovind has been informed of this, he continues to make the statement.[96]

[edit] YouTube copyright controversy

On September 16, 2007 Wired reported that "YouTube has banned a group called the Rational Response Squad (RRS) after it complained its videos were being taken down due to spurious DMCA requests from" someone working on behalf of Creation Science Evangelism Ministries.[97] It further stated that while this highlights problems with DMCA, the ministry's own website said that "none of the materials ... are copyrighted, so feel free to copy these and distribute them freely."[97]

In response to the copyright claims, the RRS has posted a message that it is ready to sue CSE and/or Eric Hovind.[98][99] Other users, apart from the Rational Response Squad, were also banned or had their videos taken down.

CSE later said that for some of the videos they may not have had copyright claims.[100]

Kent Hovind/Creation Science Evangelism copyright policy prior to September 2007.
Kent Hovind/Creation Science Evangelism copyright policy prior to September 2007.

As of September 21, 2007, the CSE copyright page had been changed to say that their material may be copied but must be unedited.[100] Previously, Hovind's website stated, "None of the materials produced by Creation Science Evangelism are copyrighted".[101] According to a spokesperson for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a group dedicated to preserving free speech on the internet, CSE's claim was "clearly bogus".[102] As of September 25, some of the videos had been put back up and the Rational Response Squad's accounts had been reinstated.[102]

[edit] Legal problems

Kent Hovind had been charged with falsely declaring bankruptcy, making threats against federal officials, filing false complaints, failing to get necessary building permits, felony assault and battery (charges later dropped),[103] and various tax-related charges. He was convicted of federal tax offenses and related charges, for which he is currently serving a 10-year sentence.

[edit] Property taxes and zoning ordinance

Hovind was charged on September 13, 2002, for failure to observe county zoning regulations with respect to Dinosaur Adventure Land.[25] Despite arguments that the owners did not need a permit due to the nature of the building, the park was found in violation of local regulations.[104]

On June 5, 2006, Hovind pled nolo contendere as charged to three counts: constructing a building without a permit, refusing to sign a citation,[105] and violating the county building code.[106] Hovind was ordered to pay $225.00 per count. The plea brought to an end the 5-year criminal (misdemeanor) court battle over a $50.00 building permit. In June 2006 Hovind complied with the county law.[107] Hovind estimates he spent $40,000 in legal expenses on this case.[108] On June 19, 2006, the delinquent 2003-2005 property taxes/penalties for Dinosaur Adventure Land were paid in the amount of $10,402.64.[109]

[edit] Federal civil tax matters, bankruptcy, and renouncing citizenship (1996 - 2006)

Hovind's Creation Science Evangelism ministry is not listed as a tax-exempt Code Section 501(c)(3) charitable, educational or religious organization by the Internal Revenue Service[110] nor is it considered a church by people who work there.[111][112] Instead, Hovind's various educational and religious activities are run through an organizational structure which, according to the United States Tax Court, appears to be "based on various questionable trust documents purchased from Glen Stoll, a known promoter of tax avoidance schemes."[32] The Tax Court has concluded that Hovind used these trust documents as well as other fraudulent means to conceal the ownership and control of his activities and properties.[32]

Hovind was originally reported to the IRS by Pensacola Christian College senior vice president Rebekah Horton in the mid 1990s, after she learned of Hovind's anti-tax stand. "'We know the Scriptures do not promote (tax evasion),'" Horton said in testimony against Hovind during his 2006 trial, "'It's against Scripture teaching'.... Horton believed it was the college's duty to report the misleading doctrine. 'I didn't want to see innocent people get led astray,' she said. Pensacola Christian College then decided its students no longer were permitted to work with Creation Science Evangelism".[113]

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In 1996 Hovind unsuccessfully filed for bankruptcy to avoid paying federal income taxes claiming he wasn't a citizen of the US and did not earn income.[114] Hovind was found to have lied about his possessions and income.[115] He claimed that as a minister of God everything he owns belonged to God and he is not subject to paying taxes to the United States on the money he received for doing God's work.[116] The court ordered him to pay the money and upheld the IRS's determination that Hovind's claim "was filed in bad faith for the sole purpose of avoiding payment of federal income taxes." In the ruling, the judge called Hovind's arguments "patently absurd." The judge also noted that "the IRS has no record of the debtor ever having filed a federal income tax return," although this was not the court's reason for denying the bankruptcy claim.

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On May 13, 1998, Hovind and his wife attempted to evade responsibility for any promises, debts, or legal agreements made prior to April 15, 1998, by filing a document called "Power of Attorney and Revocation of Signature"[117] with the Escambia County Clerk of Courts. The document reads, in part: "I/we do hereby revoke and make void... all signatures on any instruments...". The Hovinds claimed they had signed government documents "due to the use of various elements of fraud and misrepresentations, duress, coercion, under perjury, mistake, 'bankruptcy'."[117]

In the document, the Hovinds argue that Social Security is essentially a "Ponzi scheme."[117] The Hovinds referred to the United States Government as "the 'bankrupt' corporate government" and said they were renouncing their United States citizenship and Social Security numbers to become "a natural citizen of 'America' and a natural sojourner."[117] In 2002 Hovind was again delinquent in paying his taxes, and unsuccessfully sued the IRS for harassment.[118] The Hovinds referred to their home state of Florida as "the State of Florida Body-Politic Corporation."[117] Judges and the IRS did not appear to honor this as a legally relevant document in future decisions.[118]

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In 2004, IRS agents raided Hovind's home and business to confiscate financial records.[119] IRS agent Scott Schneider said Hovind's businesses had neither business licenses nor tax-exempt status. The Associated Press quoted Schneider as saying "Since 1997, Hovind has engaged in financial transactions indicating sources of income and has made deposits to bank accounts well in excess of $1 million per year during some of these years, which would require the filing of federal income taxes."[120] On June 3, 2004, the IRS filed notices of Federal tax liens of $504,957.24 against Hovind and his son and their businesses due to previous legal maneuverings to evade taxation by moving property between himself, his son, and other legal entities.[121]

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On July 7, 2006, the United States Tax Court (Docket number 011894-05L) found that Hovind was deficient in paying his federal income taxes in tax years 1995-97 in the amount of $504,957.24.[32] The Tax Court ruled that the IRS had a valid, perfected lien on Hovind's property in that amount. The IRS is currently levying against Hovind's property to satisfy his unpaid tax liabilities.[32] In the Memorandum Opinion the judge noted that Hovind's defense was based on "bizarre arguments" and "some of which constitute tax protester arguments involving excise taxes and the alleged '100% voluntary' nature of the income tax."[32]

[edit] Federal criminal tax-related trial and convictions in 2006

On July 11, 2006, Hovind was charged in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida in Pensacola with twelve counts of willful failure to collect, account for, and pay over Federal income taxes and FICA taxes under 26 U.S.C. § 7202, forty-five counts of knowingly structuring transactions in Federally-insured financial institutions to evade the reporting requirements of 31 U.S.C. § 5313(a), in violation of 31 U.S.C. § 5324, 18 U.S.C. § 2 and 31 C.F.R. sec. 103.11, and one count of corruptly endeavoring to obstruct and impede the administration of the internal revenue laws under 26 U.S.C. § 7212.[122][123] Twelve of the charges were for failing to pay employee-related taxes, totaling $473,818, and 45 of the charges were for evading reporting requirements by making multiple cash withdrawals just under the $10,000 reporting requirement (a technique known as "smurfing"). The withdrawals, totaling $430,500, were made in 2001 and 2002.[123] Jo Delia Hovind, his co-defendant wife, faced 44 charges.[124]

The government charged that Hovind falsely listed the IRS as his only creditor in his bankruptcy, filed a false and frivolous lawsuit against the IRS in which he demanded damages for criminal trespass, made threats of harm to those investigating him and to those who might consider cooperating with the investigation, filed a false complaint against IRS agents investigating him, filed a false criminal complaint against IRS special agents (criminal investigators), and destroyed records.[125]

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After being indicted, Hovind maintained his innocence. "I still don't understand what I'm being charged for and who is charging me," he said.[123] Magistrate Miles Davis asked Hovind if he wrote and spoke English, to which Hovind responded "To some degree". Davis replied that the government adequately explained the allegations and the defendant understands the charges "whether you want to admit it or not."[126] Hovind stated that he did not recognize the government's right to try him on tax-fraud charges. At first he attempted to enter a plea of "subornation of false muster," but then entered a not guilty plea "under duress" when the judge offered to enter a plea for him.[118]

At the time of the arrest Magistrate Davis, over Hovind's protests, took away his passport and guns. However, Hovind argued that he needed his passport to continue his evangelism work. He said "thousands and thousands" were waiting to hear him preach in South Africa the following month. But Davis sided with Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Heldmyer, who argued that "like-minded people" might secret Hovind away if he left the country. In relation to the guns, Davis said "ownership was not the issue."[123] Because of reports of weapons on the Hovind property, the indictment was originally sealed for fear that "the arrest of the defendants in this case could pose some danger to agents."[127] More than a half-dozen guns were seized at the Hovind's home, including an SKS semiautomatic rifle.[128] Also "During an IRS raid at the home, agents found cash stashed 'all over the place.' About $42,000 was seized."[128]

Evidence produced at the trial revealed that Jo Hovind had requested financial assistance from Baptist Healthcare claiming that the Hovinds had no income. "'Dr. and Mrs. Kent Hovind do not earn salaries,' wrote Martha Harris, the trust secretary of Creation Science Evangelism to Baptist Healthcare. 'As health insurance is not provided for this couple, we would appreciate (financial assistance).'"[129] However, continues the article "Kent Hovind, a tax protester, makes a substantial amount of money". "On the day the IRS searched the Hovind home, Kent Hovind withdrew $70,000 from the Creation Science Evangelism account. Half in a check; the other in cash.[130]

At the time of the indictment, Hovind's defense appeared to be that although there were 30 people working for him, all of whom received remuneration in cash, none of them were employees. According to Hovind, "Nobody's an employee, and they all know that when they come. They come, they work ... The laborer is worthy of his hire -- we try to take the purely scriptural approach. We do the best we can with helping people with their family needs. There are no employees here."[131] Hovind had also claimed that he was not liable for taxes that he and his ministry did not have to "render unto Caesar" because his workers are "missionaries" not "employees".[132]

On October 21, 2006, the trial began in which he hoped to convince a jury that his amusement park admission and merchandise sales belonged to God and cannot be taxed.[133] Former and current workers, IRS agents, a bank employee, and a lawyer of a non-profit Christian organization testified in the trial. Workers testified that they had to punch time cards, had vacation and sick days; while others testified Hovind claimed he had "beat" the tax system.[134] During the trial, the judge "admonished" Hovind's attorney for wasting time and asking irrelevant questions.[135]

The trial concluded on November 1 with the defense deciding not to present a case.[136] After closing arguments were presented on November 2, the jury deliberated three hours before finding the Hovinds guilty on all counts, 58 for Hovind and 44 for his wife.[137] The Pensacola News Journal noted, "The saddest thing: Had they cooperated with the agents, they probably wouldn't be worrying about prison sentences now."[138]

[edit] Sentencing, appeal, and prison life in 2007

Hovind was sentenced on January 19, 2007 to ten years in prison and ordered to pay the federal government restitution of over $600,000. After his prison term finishes, he will have to serve another three years of probation. A tearful Hovind had hoped to avoid prison, telling the court, "If it's just money the IRS wants, there are thousands of people out there who will help pay the money they want so I can go back out there and preach."[139]

Hovind's court room behavior was in stark contrast to phone calls he made while in jail.[140] One conversation with Eric Hovind, Kent Hovind's son, showed the two plotted to hide a motor vehicle title and property deeds to prevent the government from collecting the property to pay for owed debt.[141]

At a February 28, 2007 hearing, Hovind claimed, among other things, that his convictions for structuring transactions (cash withdrawals from a bank) to evade currency reporting requirements should be thrown out. Hovind contended that under the rule in a case called United States v. Davenport,[142] the crime is not the individual withdrawals, but is instead the total transaction, also known as the "unit of the crime." Hovind contended that in his case there was no "unit of the crime" "separate and distinct from the alleged act of withdrawing, and without such a separate amount to be structured [. . .] there could be no crime alleged, and no conviction on any charge in Counts 13 through 57."[143] On April 18, 2007, the court rejected the defendants' "unit of the crime" arguments, and the motions for acquittal were denied.[144][145]

After the conviction Hovind was incarcerated in the Escambia County Jail as a "danger to the community" and flight risk.[146] After being sentenced, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, in January 2007 Hovind was originally incarcerated at the Federal Prison Camp, Pensacola (minimum security) at Saufley Field, Pensacola, Florida, but was moved to the Federal Correctional Institution, Marianna (medium security) at Marianna, Florida.[4] In May 2007 he was moved and placed in solitary confinement for a short period of time.[147] He was then listed as being an "administrative security level" inmate at Federal Correctional Institution, Tallahassee in Tallahassee, Florida, the United States Penitentiary (USP) in Atlanta, Georgia until being placed at his current location, FCI Edgefield in South Carolina.[4]

On June 29, 2007 Jo Hovind was sentenced to one year imprisonment (out of a possible 225 years) , three years of supervision upon being released, and ordered to pay $8,000 in fines.[148] In court Jo Hovind told the judge "I really did not have a leadership role in CSE" and finished "I would never knowingly do anything illegal."[149] The prosecutor said that Jo Hovind's statement contradicted the evidence. The prosecutor stated, "I do not believe she's being truthful to the court".[149] The judge stated that "Mrs. Hovind was in charge of the payroll," and that while "Mr. Hovind was the decision-making authority" at CSE and Dinosaur Adventure Land, Jo Hovind had cashed some 200 checks, all under $10,000, for a total of $1.5 million during a four year period.[149] In conclusion the judge explained that Jo Hovind's sentence was imposed to engender "respect for the law" and as a deterrence to others who might be tempted to break the law.[149]

Hovind's appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit for the 2006 US Tax Court judgment (Kent E. Hovind v. Commissioner of IRS) was denied on July 2, 2007.[150] Hovind "filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit claiming he was prevented from challenging the amount of his tax liability."[151] But "a three-judge panel ruled that Hovind failed to raise the issue at the right time, so he waived his rights to contest his tax liability."[151]

In addition "the government also has taken 10 properties from the Hovinds" for money owed.[149] This stems from the June 27, 2007 judgment which ordered Hovind's property to be forfeited according to 18 U.S.C. § 3613 for costs of $5,800, a fine of $2000, and restitution of $604,874.87.[152] If payment should not be paid in full, the Hovinds will pay the principal at an additional 5.1% interest.

According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Kent Hovind is scheduled for release from prison in August 2015.[4] His wife, Jo Hovind, is not currently in BOP custody[153] she is on bond pending her appeal.[27]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Creation Science Evangelism - Creation, Evolution, Dinosaurs, and the Bible.. Retrieved on 2007-08-03.
  2. ^ a b c "Maintaining Creationist Integrity: A response to Kent Hovind", Answers In Genesis, 11 October 2002. Retrieved on 2007-05-17. 
  3. ^ Fail, Angela. "Evangelist's trial begins: Dinosaur Adventure Land owner, wife face 58 counts of tax fraud", Pensacola News Journal, October 18, 2006. 
  4. ^ a b c d "Locate a Federal Inmate: Kent Hovind", Federal Bureau of Prisons, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-17. 
  5. ^ Hovind, Eric. "Trip to Canada and Debate", DrDino.com, April 02, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-18. 
  6. ^ a b c Escambia County Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court Affidavit 08/10/2005 A court affidavit Hovind presented containing his biography.
  7. ^ "Teachers—Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary", U.S. Department of Labor, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-02-24. 
  8. ^ Brett Vickers (May 31, 2002). Some Questionable Creationist Credentials. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
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  10. ^ Da Ali G Show: Science (2003) - Overview - MSN Movies
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  13. ^ Barbara, Forrest. "Unmasking the False Prophet of Creationism", National Center for Science Education, September 1, 1999. Retrieved on 2007-02-19. 
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  22. ^ "About Us", CreationGuys.com, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-10-21. 
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  26. ^ Jackson, Camille. "When Giants Roamed: A Florida theme park sells creationism — with an antigovernment twist", Southern Poverty Law Center, Summer 2004. Retrieved on 2006-10-19. 
  27. ^ a b c d "Feds still looking to force Dinosaur Adventure Land into extinction", Pensacola News Journal, March 20, 2008. Retrieved on 2006-10-18. 
  28. ^ Lozare, Nicole. "IRS agent testifies in Hovind trial, Case could go to jury Thursday", Pensacola News Journal, October 31, 2006. 
  29. ^ Fail, Angela. "Evangelist's trial begins: Dinosaur Adventure Land owner, wife face 58 counts of tax fraud", Pensacola News Journal, October 18, 2006. 
  30. ^ "Biblical theme park's finances investigated", St. Petersburg Times, April 18, 2004. Retrieved on 2006-08-18. 
  31. ^ O'Brien, Mark. "Hard to believe a man with a Ph.D didn't know of a basic tax law", Pensacola News Journal, November 3, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-03. 
  32. ^ a b c d e f Hovind v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 2006-143, CCH Dec. 56,562(M) (2006).[1]
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  46. ^ Archived page at DrDino.com (see bottom)
  47. ^ Microevolution vs Macroevolution, Austin Cline, http://atheism.about.com/od/evolutionexplained/a/micro_macro.htm
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  54. ^ Bad Creation Arguments. Kent Hovind (site mirror). Retrieved on 2007-10-12.
  55. ^ Arguments we think creationists should NOT use. Answers in Genesis. Retrieved on 2006-04-12.
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  58. ^ Ross–Hovind Debate, John Ankerberg Show, October 2000, Answers in Genesis
  59. ^ "Doesn't carbon dating or Potassium Argon dating prove the Earth is millions of years old?", DrDino.com, Feb 04, 2003. Retrieved on 2008-11-04. 
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  61. ^ a b c Shermer, Michael. "Then a Miracle Occurs: An Obstreperous Evening with the Insouciant Kent Hovind, Young Earth Creationist and Defender of the Faith", eSkeptic Online, May 10, 2004. Retrieved on 2007-02-11. 
  62. ^ Massimo Pigliucci. Denying Evolution: Creationism, Scientism, and the Nature of Science. (Sinauer, 2002): ISBN 0878936599 page 102.
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  64. ^ Cassidy, Sarah. "World scientists unite to attack creationism", The Independent, 2006-06-22. Retrieved on 2007-02-02. 
  65. ^ Arguments we think creationists should NOT use. Answers in Genesis. Retrieved on 2007-02-02.
  66. ^ a b c Don Michael, "The Hovind connection: Check your facts, legislators." Northwest Arkansas Times. April 05, 2001
  67. ^ Wickline, Michael. "‘Extremist’ Holt? Well, depends on who’s asked", Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, July 2, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-19. 
  68. ^ a b c Radical Religion: Creationism gets a dash of anti-Semitism. Southern Poverty Law Center (2001). Retrieved on 2006-04-14.
  69. ^ When Giants Roamed: A Florida theme park sells creationism — with an antigovernment twist. Southern Poverty Law Center (Summer 2004). Retrieved on 2007-10-14.
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  72. ^ "Evolution and Christianity Mix like Oil and Water", DrDino.com, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-11-04. 
  73. ^ "their position that the King James Bible contains errors and that God's Word can only be found in "originals" which no longer exist is both tragic and unacceptable to me.""Who was Cainan?", DrDino.com, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-03-03. 
  74. ^ "as in all cases, the King James Bible provides the best translation"Hinton, John. "The Pitch of Noah's Ark", DrDino.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-03. 
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  79. ^ "Kent Hovind: Semitic Semantics", Kent-Hovind.com, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-14. 
  80. ^ "Kent Hovind: Quacky Quotes", 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-04. 
  81. ^ "What about UFO's?", DrDino.com, 11-20-2000. Retrieved on 2008-11-04. 
  82. ^ Hovind's New World Order (Google video)
  83. ^ "What about separation between church and state?", DrDino.com, 11-20-2000. Retrieved on 2008-11-04. 
  84. ^ "Should (or can) creation science be taught in the public school system?", DrDino.com, 11-20-2000. Retrieved on 2008-11-04. 
  85. ^ a b c d "How are evolution, Communism, the new-world order, and the IRS connected?", DrDino.com, 11-20-2000. Retrieved on 2008-11-04. 
  86. ^ Hovind, Kent. "Unmasking the False Religion of Evolution, Chapter 6: Questions and Answers", CSE Ministry, 2001. 
  87. ^ http://www.informedchristians.com/articles/ART-man-made-plauges.htm courtesy link to an article of his
  88. ^ "Who built the Great Pyramid, and why?", DrDino.com, 11-20-2000. Retrieved on 2008-11-04. 
  89. ^ "What about the Mark of the Beast?", DrDino.com, 11-20-2000. Retrieved on 2008-11-04. 
  90. ^ Hovind, Kent. "Unmasking the False Religion of Evolution, Chapter 6: Questions and Answers", CSE Ministry, 2001. 
  91. ^ Hovind, Kent. "Unmasking the False Religion of Evolution, Chapter 6: Questions and Answers", CSE Ministry, 2001. 
  92. ^ Hovind, Kent. "Unmasking the False Religion of Evolution, Chapter 6: Questions and Answers", CSE Ministry, 2001. 
  93. ^ Hovind vs Shermer Debate
  94. ^ "Where did the races come from?", DrDino.com, May 20, 2004. Retrieved on 2008-11-04. 
  95. ^ Bartelt, Karen. "On the Till-Hovind Debate", The Real News, March 1994. Retrieved on 2006-11-04. 
  96. ^ "A Case Study in Creationists' Willingness to Admit Their Errors", talk.origins, June 12, 2003. Retrieved on 2006-11-04. 
  97. ^ a b "YouTube Supports "Fraudulent" Creationist DMCA Claim", Wired, September 16, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-17. 
  98. ^ "We're Ready to Help Sue Creation Science Evangelism", Rational Response Squad, September 14, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-17. 
  99. ^ Black, Nathan. "Atheists Blast Creationists in Copyright Battle", Christian Post, September 28, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-28. 
  100. ^ a b Anderson, Nate. "Creationists, atheists battle over copyrights, criticism, and the DMCA", Ars Technica, September 19, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-21. 
  101. ^ Hovind, Kent. "About Creation Science Evangelism", Creation Science Evangelism/DrDino.com, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-09-24. 
  102. ^ a b "Creationist vs. Atheist YouTube War Marks New Breed of Copyright Claim", Wired, September 25, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-25. 
  103. ^ *"For The Record", Pensacola News Journal Aug. 18 2002 *Assault and battery kent-hovind.com
  104. ^ Rabb, William. "Park could face extinction: Lack of building permits closes dinosaur museum", Pensacola News Journal, 2006-04-07. 
  105. ^ (Case # 2001 MM 023489 A) Escambia County Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court Courtviewer Records Search of Kent Hovind Case #2001 MM 023489 A
  106. ^ (Case # 2002 MM 026670 A) Escambia County Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court Courtviewer Records Search of Kent Hovind Case #2002 MM 026670 A
  107. ^ (Case # 2001 MM 023489 A) Escambia County Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court Courtviewer Records Search of Kent Hovind 2001 MM 023489 A
  108. ^ Hovind provides this estimate in a Demand to Dismiss in the case, which was made available through the now defunct website www.richardsayshome.com.
  109. ^ The information was obtained from the Escambia County Tax Collector.
  110. ^ "Search for Charities and Non-Profits Organizations", Internal Revenue Service, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-19. 
  111. ^ Sowder, Amy. "Workers testify in 'Dr. Dino' trial", Pensacola News Journal, October 19, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-19. 
  112. ^ Fail, Angela. "Evangelist's trial begins: Dinosaur Adventure Land owner, wife face 58 counts of tax fraud", Pensacola News Journal, October 18, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-18. 
  113. ^ Fail, Angela. "Christian College leader says taxes are part of religion: Hovind argues God's workers are exempt", Pensacola News Journal, October 20, 2006. 
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  115. ^ The Hovind Bankruptcy Decision talk.origins 1998
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  119. ^ IRS Raids Home and Business of Creationist Christianity Today April 19, 2004
  120. ^ Biblical theme park's finances investigated Associated Press April 18, 2004
  121. ^ For a listing of liens search the Escambia County Clerk by last name.
  122. ^ Indictment, United States of America v. Kent E. Hovind and Jo D. Hovind, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division, case no. 3:06CR83/MCR (dated July 11, 2006; filed at 12:55 pm, July 11, 2006) (hereinafter "Indictment").
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  125. ^ Indictment, page 8 (July 11, 2006).
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  127. ^ "Kent Hovind arrested on federal charges", National Center for Science Education, July 14, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-18. 
  128. ^ a b Michael Stewart. "Lawyer: Hovind detailed actions: Evangelist said he 'beat the system'", 21 October 2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-26. 
  129. ^ Lozare, Nicole. "Kent and Jo Hovind deny having income", Pensacola News Journal, October 31, 2006. 
  130. ^ Lozare, Nicole. "'Dr. Dino,' wife guilty", Pensacola News Journal, November 2, 2006. 
  131. ^ Brown, Jim. "Tax-Evasion Charges Baseless, Says Ministry Leader", AgapePress, July 21, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-18. 
  132. ^ "Tax Evasion Charges Baseless Says Ministry Leader", WDC Media News, 7 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-18. 
  133. ^ Fail, Angela. "Evangelist's trial begins: Dinosaur Adventure Land owner, wife face 58 counts of tax fraud", Pensacola News Journal, October 18, 2006. 
  134. ^ Stewart, Michael. "Lawyer: Hovind detailed actions: Evangelist said he 'beat the system'", Pensacola News Journal, October 21, 2006. 
  135. ^ Lozare, Nicole. "Judge admonishes Hovind attorney", Pensacola News Journal, November 1, 2006. 
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  138. ^ O'Brien, Mark. "Hard to believe a man with a Ph.D didn't know of a basic tax law", Pensacola News Journal, November 3, 2006. 
  139. ^ Stewart, Michael. "10 years for 'Dr. Dino'", Pensacola News Journal, 19 January 2007. Retrieved on 2007-01-20. 
  140. ^ Stewart, Michael. "A decade for 'Dr. Dino'", Pensacola News Journal, 20 January 2006. Retrieved on 2007-01-20. 
  141. ^ "Kent Hovind Jail Calls", Pensacola News Journal, January 21, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-01-21. 
  142. ^ 929 F.2d 1169 (7th Cir. 1991).
  143. ^ Motion [by defendant Jo D. Hovind] to Reconsider Order Denying Motion for Judgment of Acquittal, Jan. 26, 2007, docket entry 153, United States of America v. Kent E. Hovind, case no. 3:06cr83-001/MCR, United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division.
  144. ^ Order, April 18, 2007, docket entry 192, United States of America v. Kent E. Hovind, case no. 3:06cr83-001/MCR, United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division.
  145. ^ "Attorneys for Hovinds seeks acquittal on bank structuring", Pensacola News Journal, March, 1, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-03-03. 
  146. ^ Nicole Lozare "'Dr. Dino' guilty on all counts: Couple could get more than 200 years". Pensacola News Journal, November 3, 2006
  147. ^ See comments section of: "Attorneys for Hovinds seeks acquittal on bank structuring", cseblogs.com (Kent Hovind's blog), May 8, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-06-03. 
  148. ^ Creationist theme park owner's wife sentenced. Associated Press, ABC Action News 2007-06-29. Retrieved on 2007-06-29.
  149. ^ a b c d e Mark OBrien "She's 'Granny Jo' to her family, but a lawbreaker to the court". Pensacola News Journal, July 1, 2007
  150. ^ "Kent E. Hovind v. Commissioner of IRS", United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, July 2, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-01-21.  Case #06-15229, Docket 11894-05L
  151. ^ a b "Appeals court upholds sentence in Hovind tax-evasion case". Pensacola News Journal, July 4, 2007
  152. ^ "Instrument 2007061225 ($604,874.87 lien)", Escambia County Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court, June 27, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-07-17. 
  153. ^ "Locate a Federal Inmate: Jo Hovind", Federal Bureau of Prisons, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-12-27. 

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