PENSACOLA, Fla. — Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents are investigating a man who runs a creationist theme park and museum, saying he owes taxes on proceeds of more than $1 million. IRS agents raided the Pensacola homes and businesses of Kent Hovind, 51. Calling himself “Dr. Dino,” Hovind argues against evolution and for a biblical view of creation in travels around the world, on the Internet, in videos and in literature.
On April 17, agents confiscated computer and paper records of financial activity since 1997, but no charges have been filed against Hovind. He denied wrongdoing. In a sworn statement to obtain a search warrant, IRS agent Scott Schneider said none of Hovind’s enterprises have a business license or tax-exempt status as a nonprofit entity.
“Since 1997, Hovind has engaged in financial transactions indicating sources of income and has made deposits to bank accounts well in excess of $1 million per year during some of these years, which would require the filing of federal income taxes,” Schneider said, according to The Associated Press.
Hovind said he suspected he is being targeted because of his religious beliefs and questioned the timing of the raids a day before the April 15 tax-filing deadline.
Share with others: