Chapter 229: Toast and not eat but to drink fine wine
At this time, Zhuli's face was full of shame and anger, while lawyer Kaili on the side protested loudly: "Your Honor, I protest that the witness is here out of thin air, Slander without substantive evidence!”
Nicola did not immediately reject the other party’s protest, because the other party’s protest was indeed well-founded. It was just a witness testimony and was not really substantive. Evidence, in the end she could only look at David.
David turned to look at Zhuli and asked: "Ms. Zhuli, we have reached this point, we can forget about it, what do you think?"
He was like this The underlying meaning of the words is that I already have sufficient evidence for you, and I don’t want to make it too rigid. If you continue to make trouble, it is very likely that you will not be able to get out of the stage. It is best to just give it up now!
Zhuli was not a monkey. She naturally understood. Then she turned to look at Kaili and asked in a low voice: "What should I do?"
"The testimony of these two witnesses is not enough now. To convict you, he is probably trying to trick you into confessing..."
"Then what if he really has a back-up plan?"
On one night last night? Over time, Zhu Li had gotten to know David pretty well. She knew very well that the newly appointed director of the western suburbs branch was not only ruthless, but also that none of the prisoners sent to court by him were spared. This was her I'm quite scared now.
“If you plead guilty now, you will be convicted of tax evasion, which will have a great impact on your personal image and reputation. But if you persist, there is a chance that you can be cleared of the crime. This is a multiple-choice question. , I think it should be decided by yourself!”
To be honest, Carey prefers the latter.
Because as long as Zhuli chooses the former, which means pleading guilty, then this trial will be a failure for him. If he chooses the latter, if he really wins, then he will be in the limelight. .
Of course, there are risks in choosing the latter, but this risk is compared to Zhuli.
Because David has obviously fallen down the ladder now, as long as Zhuli is willing to admit to tax evasion, it is estimated that a good result can be obtained.
Therefore, even if he is inclined to choose the latter, in order to avoid taking the blame after failure, he can only leave the choice in Zhuli's hands.
At this time, Zhuli's expression was torn, and David also noticed his hesitation and did not rush her.
Finally, after a full minute and a half, Zhuli seemed to have made a decision. She gritted her teeth and said to Kaili on the side: "I want to hold on!"
Every Everyone has a gambler's mentality, and Zhuli is no exception.
In addition, this incident happened 20 years ago, and she still doesn’t believe that David can really find a complete chain of evidence.
Kerry nodded, turned to look at Nicola on the stage, and said: "Your Honor, my client and I still insist on our previous protest!"
"In that case, your Honor, I would like to invite my next witness!"
David's face gradually became cold. He had already given up to the other party, but since the other party did not appreciate it, he still wanted to If you choose to resist, you can't blame him!
"Permission."
"..."
In this adrenaline-filled scene, more than an hour passed unknowingly.
Within this hour, five more witnesses who were on the set of "The Shadowless Terminator" came forward to accuse Zhuli.
And all the evidence points to the fact that Zhuli had a Yin-Yang contract at that time.
In other words, her salary at the time was 50,000 US dollars on the surface, but in fact it was more than 500,000 US dollars.
If she is successfully convicted according to this situation, then this time Zhuli will not only face tax evasion, but also be suspected of financial, tax cost, and assisting others in money laundering.
Seeing that the situation was getting worse, John drank weakly and asked Zhuli in a tired tone: "Ms. Zhuli, how come there are so many witnesses on this crew who know about this?"
At this time, Zhuli also had a bitter look on her face.
At that time, when supervision and laws were not perfect, everyone on the crew was tacitly aware of this kind of thing.
And she was just a newcomer at the time, and there was no specialized person to help her solve this problem.
But the most important thing is that almost twenty years have passed. Who would have thought that David could still dig out this matter.
But even if we dig it out, we can actually find so many witnesses from the crew at that time to testify. It can be said that all of this is completely beyond the scope of what normal people can understand.
"Forget it, it doesn't matter Ms. Zhuli. It's still the same sentence. It's too long ago, and now it's just one-sided words from the witnesses. This lawsuit still has to be fought, but we need to be prepared for the long term..."< br>
Although he is now completely at a disadvantage, it is still the same sentence. This is just one side of the witness's words, and a complete chain of evidence has not yet been formed. As long as he appeals again and sorts out some ideas and plans, Kaili still has something to say. Confidence to save the situation.
"Your Honor, I finally apply for a witness to testify in court!"
"There are still witnesses..."
David's application again, let the auditors Everyone in the audience became energetic again, but Zhuli and Kaili in the dock had tense expressions.
Because David's words have already said that this is the last witness.
It is very likely that this will be the decisive witness!
“Permission!”
While thinking, the whole audience was stunned when a shackled male prisoner wearing prison uniform appeared.
What no one noticed was that when the prisoner appeared, Zhu Li's face turned pale in the dock.
"Issac, why are you here!?"
Zhu Li yelled angrily when she came back to her senses, with a bit of panic in her words.
“What’s going on? Why did Ms. Zhuli collapse?”
“It’s over, it’s over, this is most likely a witness who will ‘finalize the coffin’ for Ms. Zhuli… "
"What's going on? How could it become like this..."
In the auditorium, a group of invited people also heard the collapse in Zhuli's words.
"I'm sorry Zhuli, I have no other choice..."
The man named Isaac replied helplessly.
Zhu Li said emotionally: "Why do you have no other choice? I agreed to everything you asked for, and it seems that you are about to be released from prison..."
This name is The man who acted as Isaac smiled helplessly: "I am about to be released from prison, but if I don't come today, I will be sent to the IRS prison immediately after I get out of the federal prison."
Having said this, how could Zhuli still not understand? It seemed that Isaac was found by David somehow, and then threatened to go to court to testify.
"But..."
"Okay, Ms. Zhuli, you should not say more now, just leave it to me!"
Zhuli also wants to say something else. What, but Kaili beside him interrupted.
And Isaac stopped talking nonsense and directly introduced himself: "Your Honor, my name is Isaac Elders. In 1992, I was a producer of "The Shadowless Terminator" People.”
"The producer of Shadowless Terminator? Could it be that he is the producer who had an affair with Zhuli!"
Everyone at the scene seemed to understand something.
But at the same time, many people are a little more worried about the situation Zhuli is about to face.
Although the testimony of the previous witnesses was considered effective, it did not have the effect of a fatal blow.
But it would be different if the producer at that time testified.
This was the original participant and even the mastermind. If his testimony was found to be valid, it would be difficult for Zhuli to clear her name.
While thinking, Nicola on the stage replied: "Okay Isaac, please express your statement!"
Isak first glanced at Zhuli and thought of Dai After Wei threatened him and promised forgiveness, he finally made up his mind to accuse him: "Your Honor, what I want to express is that in the movie "Terminator", I did engage in money laundering activities. , I paid all the staff on the crew at a price that exceeded the price at that time. The total investment reported later was five times the true cost of the film. As for Ms. Zhuli... she was the heroine of the film at the time, Of course there is no need to say more."
After listening to this, Nicola asked: "Mr. Isaac, are you sure you are responsible for your testimony? Also, are you sure Ms. Zhuli was at that time? "Informed?"
"Of course I am sure that although I used this drama to launder money, it was tailor-made for Ms. Zhuli, who I met by chance at that time."
"Your Honor, I protest. There is no real evidence. Based on these one-sided words, I can also say that I am the incarnation of Jesus. Do you think this is credible?"
"I am not slandering, I have Really solid evidence!”
Issac was provoked and yelled loudly, but after he finished yelling, he suddenly became embarrassed again. Nicola immediately asked: "Oh, what kind of evidence is it?"
"It's a video tape."
"Video tape? Then bring it up and open it for everyone to see!"
"This..."
Issac turned to look at David, and David stood up. , explained: "Your Honor, this videotape is private and not suitable for public viewing."
The auditorium was in an uproar.
The words are said so clearly that no matter how stupid a person is, they will understand.
It seems that the protagonists of this private videotape are probably Zhuli and Isaac, and the reason why it is not suitable for public viewing may obviously involve the private behavior of the two people in certain places at that time.
At this time, Zhuli's face in the dock was extremely red with shame, and she wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl in.
She suddenly felt a sense of regret. When David stepped down the steps just now, she should have made up her mind and admitted it directly. In that case, it wouldn't be so embarrassing now.
“Okay, I understand!”
Nicola naturally understood. He looked at Kaili and said: “Lawyer Kaili, in order to commend fairness, this volume The videotape will be watched by you and me. What do you think?”
"This...just follow what the judge said!
The two of them took the video tape to the screening room next door to watch it.
At the scene, Zhuli was in a hurry. After the trance, she was filled with anger and cursed at Isaac: "Isaac, you bastard, are you going to destroy me? "
Isaac shrank his head and replied: "I said I have no choice. If I don't come, I will never get out of prison in my life, so I hope you can understand me..."
"Fake Squid..."
"..."
The remarks of the two men were made completely under the scene of the court hearing, which also shocked the people in the auditorium. .
Of course, this is because Zhuli was carried away by the witnesses one after another, and Kaili was not here to remind and control, otherwise she would not have lost her mind and said these things in front of the public.
About ten minutes later, Nicola and Kaili came back one after the other.
However, there is an obvious contrast between the two people's expressions at this moment. Nicola has a smile on her face, while Kaili is helpless and has a hint of sadness in his eyes.
After returning to his seat, Kaili shook his head and said: "Ms. Zhuli, what you said in the video was too explicit. It proves that you did take the Yin and Yang contract and even knew about money laundering. I can't help you anymore. I'm sorry. ..."
From the moment Isaac appeared, Zhuli had already guessed this result, but now that things had come to this, she became more and more unwilling, and then asked: "This was 20 years ago. As far as I know, the Black Tax Act only came into effect on December 3 last year. The IRS can’t trace it back so many years, right?”
“Yes, according to the Black Tax Act? According to the regulations, illegal gains cannot be traced back to before December 3, 2021. But in fact, this bill is tailor-made for criminals. You do not belong to this category of people. Secondly, what you signed at the time was Yin Yang. The contract can actually be counted as inflated legal income. The tax laws of the IRS are very complicated. The right to interpret this point rests with them. If they can’t argue with him, there is no need to continue to argue.”
Of course Kaili doesn't want to fail like this, but there is no way. Now that the witnesses and physical evidence are available, the charges have been confirmed, so what else can be argued for?
As soon as she heard this, Zhuli’s face was filled with despair.
"The defendant Zhuli was found guilty of tax evasion, finance, and tax costing. She will be sentenced later!"
After saying this, Nicola looked at the second chief in the dock. Gabriel Smith asked: "Mr. Will, now that this court is accusing you of tax evasion, do you have any impression or subjective consciousness?"
Will's heart trembled when he was named. When he was taken away by the IRS, he was still very confident and believed that his tax situation was absolutely fine.
But he also saw Zhuli’s case just now. The Western Suburbs Branch was able to find out what happened 20 years ago. In that environment at that time, who dared to say that he was innocent?
"Your Honor, my client completely denies this allegation!"
Seeing Will in a daze, his lawyer O'Casey stood up.
Although there is Zhuli's example in front of him, since he has been invited here, he certainly cannot surrender directly. He has to test the depth of the Western Suburbs Branch.
Here, David put down his water glass and his legs, walked to the audience without panic and dissatisfaction, and said: "Your Honor, I apply for witnesses to attend."
"Permission!"
The next second, a black man was taken out of the passage.
After coming to the witness box, the black man introduced himself: "Your Honor, my name is Horace McKee, and I am a producer in the movie [Independence Day]!"
"Fake, is Independence Day" Day!"
"Independence Day, this is a movie released in 1996, will it not be involved in the illegal business of money laundering again?"
"Zhu Li was detained for 20 years. He was convicted by what happened in the past. Now, Will Smith will be convicted by this movie from 15 years ago?” They started talking in low voices again.
Judging from what Julie has learned before.
Since the Western Suburbs Branch was able to find witnesses and physical evidence from 20 years ago to convict him, it seems that if the Independence Day movie 16 years ago was really involved in illegal activities, it would be difficult to find evidence. Difficult matter.
Ignoring everyone's thoughts, Nicola on the stage asked: "Okay Horace, since you are the producer of [Independence Day], what do you want to express in court this time?"< br>
“What I want to express is that when the cost of this movie was reported at the time, there was a big gap between it and the real cost.”
Nicola didn’t seem to understand. Asked: "Horace, what do you mean by this? Can you make it clear?"
"It's the same situation as Ms. Zhu Li's [Shadowless Terminator] before."
Hearing this, Nicola and everyone in the court finally understood.
If it is the same as The Shadowless Terminator, doesn’t it mean that this movie also has tax evasion, financial and tax fraud, etc.?
"Mr. Horace, let's not talk about the situation of this movie for now. The person standing here now is Mr. Weir. So let's make the point!"
"Okay, your honor. , the point is actually very simple. Since the cost of this film has been exaggerated, there must be expenditure points, so it is similar to Ms. Zhuli's. The salary that Mr. Weir received at that time was also an exaggerated contract to be precise. ! ”
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone at the scene was shocked.
The contract that has been exaggerated is the yin and yang contract.
In other words, Weier probably only paid the tax for the normal contract at that time, but not for the other yin and yang contract!
In this case, this is fully suspected of tax evasion.
Once the conviction is successful, it is feared that another internationally renowned movie star after Zhuli will be sanctioned by the IRS.
In the dock, Will's legs felt a little weak after hearing the producer's words. He didn't need his lawyer to speak out. He hurriedly explained: "No, your honor, what I took at that time was indeed my own." It’s just the salary that one should get, and I don’t know whether it’s exaggerated or not.”
After speaking to Nicola, Will looked at David again with a look of help and said: Director David Yi! , I really don’t know, please be aware..."
"That’s right, strictly speaking, Mr. Will is indeed not informed! ”
After hearing what David said, many people at the scene were confused again.
Don’t you want to sue Will?
Why are you now speaking for him in court?
But what many people don’t realize is that David never intended to kill these big names.
What he wants to target is just the eight major film companies behind these big names.
Will was stunned for a moment. When he realized it, he was almost crazy. He said with great joy: "Your Majesty, you heard it, I didn't know. Director David said it himself that I didn't know!"
"Director David, if Mr. Will doesn't know about it, then...?"
"Someone knows!"
"Who?"
David stretched out his finger and pointed at McCartney, the executive brought back from Fox Film Company, and said: "That's the one , Director McCartney of Fox Film Company”
(End of this chapter)