We previously blogged the story of former Libertarian Congressional candidate Arthur L. Farnsworth, who during his campaign argued that no one is legally obligated to pay federal income tax and that he himself did not pay federal income tax.  (Farnsworth maintains this elaborate anti-tax web site.)  A federal district court jury in Philadelphia convicted him of tax evasion in December, and the judge sentenced him yesterday to 27 months in jail.  From the Philadephia Inquirer:

Farnsworth … was sentenced to 27 months behind bars by U.S. District Judge John R. Padova. "You have been defiant with regard to the law," Padova said, before pronouncing sentence. "No one can criticize you for the opinions you hold or your critical comments regarding our tax system . . . but we are a people of law and you clearly violated the law," the judge said.  …

Farnsworth, 44, of West Rockhill Township, operated a Web site that offered tips on how to avoid paying federal income taxes. He contended during his trial that paying federal income taxes is voluntary. Farnsworth certainly didn’t help himself in front of Padova yesterday. He told Padova that he had made an "unwise decision" not to file federal tax returns. But, he said, that decision was based on sincere beliefs about the tax code and it was going to be a "slow turn" before those beliefs changed.

(Hat Tip:  Jim Maule.)