Judge clears way for dinosaur park to
be seized

August 1, 2009

A ruling by U.S. District Judge Casey Rodgers states that the nine
properties that make up Dinosaur Adventure Land as well as two bank accounts
associated with the park will be used to satisfy $430,400 owed to the
federal government.

Kent Hovind, who founded the park and a ministry, Creation Science
Evangelism, is serving 10 years in federal prison for failing to pay the
Internal Revenue Service more than $470,000 in employee taxes.

He was found guilty in November 2006 on 58 counts, including failure to pay
employee taxes and making threats against investigators.

The conviction culminated 17 years of Hovind sparring with the IRS. Saying
he was employed by God and his ministers were not subject to payroll taxes,
he claimed no income or property.

Hovind is incarcerated at the Edgefield Federal Correction Institution in
South Carolina.

His wife, Jo, also was sentenced to a year in federal prison for her role in
the tax fraud. She's currently jailed at the Federal Correctional
Institution in Marianna.

Rodgers' 16-page order released late Thursday gives the government the green
light to divide up the nine properties in and around the 5800 block of North
Palafox Street and begin to sell them until the $430,400 forfeiture amount
is satisfied.

The properties have a combined value of more than what the Hovinds owe,
according to Rodgers' order, and any excess property available after the
sales will be returned to the Hovinds.

The Hovinds' son, Eric, and business associate Glenn Stoll unsuccessfully
tried to block the government's attempt to seize the properties. They said
they are the legal owners.

Only Eric Hovind, who has managed the park since his father's incarceration,
was successful in his claim, according to Rodgers' order.

Stoll said he owned nine of the 10 properties in question, according to a
motion filed with the court. Eric Hovind claimed ownership of a single
property, where he lives with his family. He will be allowed to keep the
Cummings Road home.

Kent Hovind made a series of quick transfers to conceal his ownership of the
properties at risk for seizure, according to documents filed by the U.S.
Attorney's Office.

Eric Hovind was not available for comment Friday. His secretary said he
could not be reached until Monday.

http://www.pnj.com/article/20090801/NEWS01/908010317




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