Background
[Briefly describe educational/vocational/other history]
Theories Advocated/Promoted
Bonita Lynne Meredith relied mainly on the "pure trust" theory of tax evasion.
Books, Web Sites, Videos, and Organizations
Meredith was best known for her book, Vultures in Eagle's Clothing: Lawfully Breaking Free From Ignorance Related Slavery (1997). She also wrote a sequel, How to Cook a Vulture! (1999), and led organizations called "Sovereignty Pure Trusts" and "We the People" (which was not related to the organizations created by Robert Schulz).
Court Actions
Meredith allegedly earned more than $6,000,000 selling books, tapes, and other tax materials, as well as seminar and appearance fees, before she was finally indicted for tax-related crimes. She was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States, four counts of mail fraud, two counts of using a false social security number, making a false statement in a passport application, and five counts of failing to file a tax return and, on June 6, 2005, was sentenced to more than 10 years (121 months) in prison. United States v. Lynne Meredith, No. CR 02-00372-DDP (U.S.D.C. S.D. Cal.). She was federal prisoner #24001-112 and was released from prison on February 1, 2013.
She tried to sue the IRS agents who executed the search warrant that lead to her criminal conviction, alleging that the searches violated her constitutional rights, but the suit was dismissed on a motion for summary judgment. Gayle Bybee et al. v. Andrew Erath et al., No. 05-56097 (9th Cir. 12/22/2008), affirming 88 AFTR2d Par. 2001-5412, 2001 TNT 201-16, No. CV-99-13100-FMC (U.S.D.C. C.D. Cal. 9/19/2001).
Students/Disciples/Associates
Meredith was indicted (and convicted) with five other persons who worked with her: Gayle Bybee (convicted of conspiracy and three counts of failing to file a tax return and sentenced to 60 months in prison), Gregory Paul Karl, a former CPA (convicted of conspiracy and four counts of mail fraud), Teresa Manharth Giordano (convicted of conspiracy, four counts of mail fraud, and two counts of failing to file a tax return, and sentenced to 40 months in prison), Willie Watts, also a former CPA (convicted of conspiracy, three counts of mail fraud, and three counts of failing to file a tax return, and sentenced to 36 months in prison), Betty Erickson (convicted of three counts of failing to file a tax return), and Nora Moore (convicted of three counts of failing to file a tax return). United States v. Lynne Meredith, No. CR 02-00372-DDP (U.S.D.C. S.D. Cal.).
One person who read Meredith's book and tried to practice her teachings was James Ellett, and as a result he was convicted of three counts of income tax evasion and sentenced to 18 months in prison. United States v. James Ellett, 527 F.3d 38, 2008 TNT 102-63, No. 07-3682 (2nd Cir. 5/23/2008) (per curiam).
