Jun 21, 2007 10:59 am US/Eastern
Tax Evaders' Supporter Arrested For E-Mail Threat
PLAINFIELD, N.H. (WBZ) ―
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Ed and Elaine Brown spoke to reporters from the steps of their home June 18.
WBZ
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SkyEye4 over the Brown's compound in Plainfield, N.H.
WBZ
A supporter of tax evaders Ed and Elaine Brown was arrested on his way to the town selectboard meeting Wednesday night on charges that he threatened a Lebanon city councilor by e-mail.
Joseph Haas, 54, of Concord sent the note to various government officials last Friday, including councilors in Lebanon, where officials this month seized Elaine Brown's dentistry building.
"You all live in a dream land of lies, the father of which is the devil himself: devil worshipers you must be," Haas wrote. "Either you do your job, or get out of the way. WISE UP OR DIE. If the latter be your choice, then BE GONE with you NOW!"
Haas says he was exercising his right to free speech by writing the e-mail, and that his "wise up or die" phrase was a play on the state motto: "Live Free or Die."
City Councilor Terri Dudley reported the note to the police.
Hass and about 10 other Brown supporters showed up for the selectboard meeting, to request that town officials intervene with federal authorities on behalf of the Browns. He was arrested as he left his car, just after he arrived.
Haas was released on personal recognizance bail.
Ed and Elaine Brown were convicted and sentenced to five years in prison for not paying federal income taxes. For the past five months they have stayed at their Plainfield home, saying they will resist any attempt by U.S. Marshals to arrest them.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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