Tax Protesters Sue Attorneys & Minister

TULSA (CN) - A husband and wife who served time for tax evasion claim it was because defendants Lindsey K. Springer dba Bondage Breaker Ministries and attorneys Oscar Stilley and Jerold Barringer told them they could "un-volunteer" from paying taxes, and promised "that they would never be convicted, nor would they ever go to prison." But they did.

Plaintiff Eddy and Judith Patterson say it all began when they read Richard E. Clark's book, "Never Fear the IRS Again." When the IRS audit began, they say, they contacted Clark, and he referred them to Springer, of Sapulpa, Okla., "who Richard E. Clark advised was experienced in these types of matters."

Then, they say, Springer introduced them to "Defendants Stilley and Barringer, both attorney at law. Eddy Patterson was advised by all Defendants that he should 'un-volunteer' from paying taxes to the IRS and allow Defendants Springer, Stilley and Barringer to represent and advise them as how to avoid (sic) paying taxes with no civil or criminal exposure. In keeping with their advice, Eddy and Judith Patterson retained the Defendants to represent their legal and financial interests and paid them large sums of money to represent them."

They claim that after they were indicted, "Defendant Springer, although not an attorney, continued to provide legal advice and other advice to the Patterson (sic) and worked in coordination with Defendants Stilley and Barringer. Defendant Springer received payments for legal fees from Eddy Patterson which were marked as contributions to his ministry."

Stilley represented Eddy and Barringer represented Judith, the Pattersons say. Judith served 5 months of an 18-month sentence and Eddy is still in prison, the complaint states.

Represented by Richard Marrs with The Richardson Law Firm, the Pattersons demand damages for legal malpractice, fraud and conspiracy.

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