"All stand up!"

In the midst of his thoughts, a cheer from the court staff brought everyone back to their senses, and then stood up and returned to their seats.

In the passage, Nicola, dressed in a judge's robe, walked out, came to the stage and sat down, and then announced: "This trial begins, take the defendant!" ”

In the passage on the other side, Zhu Li and other big names were brought out one by one by the inspectors of the Western Suburbs Branch.

Unlike most of the defendants David had sanctioned before, the previous defendants had either been dead or panicked when they came here.

And after these big names were brought out, they not only calmed down, but even greeted some celebrities and friends present, which shows that they are worthy of being top-level acting practitioners, and the management of facial expressions is indeed top-notch.

Wait for the big names to come to the dock one by one.

Nicola on the stage took the lead in looking at Julie and asked, "Defendant Ms. Zhu Li, now that you are suspected of a tax evasion case, do you know or have an impression?" ”

"Your Excellency, I, Zhu Li, have been in the film for so many years, and I have never defaulted on even one day of tax payment to the IRS, let alone such an illegal and criminal thing as tax evasion!"

Zhu Li retorted immediately.

Her lawyer Carey also immediately added: "Your Excellency, this is my client's tax records, all of which are recorded, please take a look!" ”

The court officers at the scene immediately presented the information book to the stage, and Nicola also looked at it carefully.

After about seven or eight minutes and minutes, she closed the information book and turned her head to look at David under the auditorium: "Now I would like to ask the accuser, Director David of the Western Suburbs Branch, to come up and make a statement!" ”

David got up from his seat, straightened his suit, came to the audience, and said, "Your Excellency, I would like to invite my first witness!" ”

"Permission!"

In the passage, an old man in his 60s was taken out by the inspectors of the Western Suburbs Branch and came all the way to the witness stand.

And Zhu Li in the dock saw this old man, her expression showed a hint of surprise, she always felt that she seemed to have seen this person, but for a while she couldn't remember where she had seen it.

"What's wrong, Ms. Zhuli?"

As a top lawyer, Carey had to keep track of the details of the courtroom at all times, and when he saw that his client Zhu Li was a little different, he had to ask vigilantly.

Zhu Li muttered back, "I seem to have seen this person, but I can't remember it for a while......"

“……”

Just when the two of them were whispering here.

The old man on the witness stand spoke, and he said: "Your Excellency, my name is Temple Morgan, and I used to work as a crew!" ”

"Crew?"

She said, it seems that she has seen this person there, and it would not be strange if it was a member of the crew.

But then again, what did Director David do with the crew?

For a while, Zhu Li's face became cloudy.

In the midst of his thoughts, Temple, who was on the witness stand, spoke: "Your Excellency, what I want to say is more distant, it is about an incident in 1992. ”

Hearing Temple's words, most of the observers at the scene were stunned, 1992 has been 20 years ago, why is this witness so far away?

On the dock's side, the original calm on Zhu Li's face gradually dissipated, as if she remembered something.

"Although it is old, as long as your words are true, you can tell it!"

Hearing Nicola's agreement, Temple nodded and continued: "In 1992, I was an assistant director, at that time, because transfer and remittance were not as convenient as today, of course, there were some reasons, so some producers and investors preferred to trade in cash, and at that time, I was in a crew called [Shadowless Terminator], one of the producers, used cash to trade......"

Hearing this, Zhu Li seemed to remember something, and a trace of undetectable solemnity flashed in her pupils.

And Carey on the side naturally felt that something was wrong, and he immediately interrupted: "Your Excellency, I protest that the witness is telling such a long story about something that has nothing to do with this case, and it is so old, even if it is true, there is no way to verify it, so the reference is not of great significance!" ”

"Lawyer Carey, didn't you hear the witness say that the transaction was carried out in cash at that time, and you also know that when it comes to transactions with cash, whether the tax has been paid is particularly important, and the movie [Shadowless Terminator] was co-starred by your client Ms. Zhu Li, which is by no means irrelevant to this case!"

Of course, David will not watch him play, and he will stand up to refute it.

"Since the [Shadowless Terminator] involves Ms. Zhu Li's participation, it can't be regarded as irrelevant to this case, witness, please continue!"

Nicola on the stage also rejected Carey's protest, although Carey was unwilling, but he could only grit his teeth and keep his mouth shut.

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

Temple sorted out his thoughts for a moment and continued: "Director David also said just now that [Shadowless Terminator] involves Ms. Zhuli, which is indeed true, Ms. Zhuli not only played the heroine in this movie, but this is also the first film she participated in in her career!" ”

"At that time, this producer brought a sum of money into the crew, about 1 million US dollars, and he used this fund to pay us wages and bonuses!"

At this point, the context has gradually become clear.

That was the movie "Shadowless Terminator", and the producer at the time used cash to make a deal with the crew.

In that era when the regulation and laws were not perfect, and it was still the film and television industry, it can basically be said that everyone understands it, and it is very likely to be suspected of money laundering and tax evasion!

It's just that it makes everyone feel a little incredible.

It was 1992, 20 years ago, how dare David find out about something so long?

Even if it is true, but it is too old to really find the evidence for the conviction?

And the testimony of this witness is certainly not enough!

"In other words, the funds are paid to you in wages and bonuses that have not gone through the IRS's tax system?"

This testimony alone is not enough to convict Zhu Li of tax evasion, so Nicola on stage continues to ask.

"Your Excellency, [Shadowless Terminator] is a movie that is going to be released in theaters after all, how can it escape supervision, as far as I know, that fund is indeed taxed, but it is a little inconsistent with the tax we reported, it seems to be less!"

As soon as Temple's words came out, it instantly caused an uproar at the scene.

If it is true that what Charles said, then Zhu Li may really be suspected of tax evasion.

"Your Excellency, I refute!"

Carey couldn't sit still, and he stood up and retorted: "In our tax records, you can see that the tax of the movie [Shadowless Terminator] is very detailed, and I don't understand the basis for this Mr. Temple's claim that he paid some underpayment came from. Is it just a matter of one side? ”

"And it's old, can you guarantee that there are no discrepancies in what you remember? Maybe you just want to be famous or for some reason, so you want to deduct my client's hat! ”

Carey's words are also reasonable, and the tax records in the movie Shadowless Terminator are indeed recorded.

As long as it is recorded, it proves that Zhu Li is indeed paying taxes.

As for what you Temple said about underpayment, where does it come from?

Or do you say pay less, pay less?

"Your Excellency, I didn't deduct my hat indiscriminately, you can look at my tax records, the movie Shadowless Terminator, I personally got a salary bonus of 6,000 US dollars at that time, according to the tax rate, then I have to pay about 600 US dollars in taxes, but you can check it out, I only have 300 US dollars on my records, where did the other 300 US dollars go?"

Once again, Temple stepped up to his defense.

And Carey seemed to grasp the key point at this time, and suddenly asked: "Wait Mr. Temple, do you mean that you got $6,000 in wages and bonuses, of which you only paid $300 in taxes, and you admit that you evaded $300 in taxes?" ”

"This ...... It's true that I escaped, but it has nothing to do with me......"

Before Temple could continue, Carey interrupted. "Your Excellency, if you see that this Mr. Temple has voluntarily admitted to tax evasion, then it proves that he is a tax evader, and I think you should try him first, and do you think the testimony of a tax evasion prisoner is admissible?"

I have to say.

Carey can become a top lawyer in the United States, and he still has two brushes, and his ability to change the topic is even more unique.

In an instant, Temple, who was originally a witness, was labeled a prisoner.

In this case, there is a legal reason why the testimony of the opposing party should not be admissible.

Carey's words shocked Temple, after all, he is just an ordinary person, under such a high-profile courtroom, where can he withstand the offensive pressure of such a top lawyer.

And Nicola on the stage is the same, because Carey's question is also legally reasonable, of course she can't forcibly dismiss it in front of so many people, and finally can only set her eyes on David.

However, David did not panic, he was prepared, and he said calmly: "Your Excellency, even if Mr. Temple evades taxes, his testimony may not be inadmissible, just like some criminal cases, is it true that after the prisoner becomes a tainted witness, what he says cannot be believed?" ”

At this time, Nicola on the stage was awakened, seeing that David's answer was also legally tenable, she immediately turned her head to look at Carey and said: "Lawyer Carey, what Director David said also makes sense, even if Mr. Temple is involved in tax evasion, but it is a matter between him and our IRS, and it has nothing to do with Ms. Zhuli's case, and his testimony this time can also be said to be a manifestation of tainted witnesses!" ”

Carey's face sank slightly, and then he defended: "Your Excellency, I still say the same thing, now twenty years have passed since then, the age is too long, and relying on the testimony of witnesses alone is not convincing at all, unless he has substantial evidence!" ”

Carey's words weren't quibbles.

A tax evasion case almost 20 years ago would not be convincing if only one witness had to be convicted at the time.

Who knows if the witness is mistaken?

Who can prove that the witness is not mistaken?

And Carey's defense was also supported by many celebrities at the scene, and it is ridiculous to convict an international superstar based on the testimony of this witness alone!

Of course, Nicola at the scene knew very well that the witness testimony at this stage still could not charge Zhu Li with tax evasion, and she could only look at David again.

"Your Excellency, there is some truth in Attorney Carey's rebuttal......

When David said this, everyone at the scene was a little stunned.

Didn't you co-author the Western Suburbs Branch to sue Zhu Li for tax evasion, and now he actually said that the words of other lawyers are reasonable?

Are you rebelling in court?

But before everyone could figure it out.

David's next sentence made them suddenly realize that at the same time, they were also taken aback.

David said, "But Your Excellency, since Attorney Carey has denied Mr. Temple's testimony, it doesn't matter, we can just ask another witness at the time to come out and tell the story!" ”

"And the ...... witnesses"

This remark caused a shock in the auditorium.

And Carey here frowned, and cast a questioning and slightly dissatisfied gaze on Zhu Li on the side.

At this time, Zhuli's face was not much better than that of Carey, and she seemed to have completely remembered what had happened, but she still didn't say a word.

Under the watchful eyes of the whole audience, another witness in the passage was brought to the witness stand by the inspectors of the Western Suburbs Branch.

"Your Excellency, my name is Parker Mitchell, and in 1992, I served as the actor assistant director of [Shadowless Terminator]!"

After arriving at the witness stand, the witness introduced himself.

Nicola on the stage immediately replied, "Okay Mr. Parker, do you have anything you want to explain?" ”

"Yes."

Parker glanced at David, then turned to look at Juli, and asked, "Ms. Juli, I wonder if you remember me?" ”

Zhu Li's eyes flickered a little, and she replied, "[Shadowless Terminator] was 20 years ago, sorry, I don't recognize it very well." ”

No one thinks there is a problem with what she said, after all, it was 20 years ago, and this so-called witness is just an actor and assistant director, how can a big name like Zhu Li still remember.

"It's okay if you don't remember, but I remember Lady Zhuli, and you'll be fine."

Parker retracted his gaze, turned to look at Nicola on the stage and said, "Your Excellency, what I want to say is that in fact, the 1992 [Shadowless Terminator] is actually used for money laundering from top to bottom!" ”

Parker's words can be described as earth-shattering, which made many people in the audience feel numb.

If, as Parker said, this film is used to launder money, it is not only involved in tax evasion cases, but also judicial cases.

And Zhu Li, as the heroine in it, let's not talk about whether this matter has anything to do with her, but an internationally renowned influential debut has become a money laundering work, and the scandal is ironclad.

"Your Excellency, I seriously protest against the testimony of the witness, the witness is just an actor and assistant director, how can you know that this film is involved in money laundering, this kind of illogical slander is really ridiculous!"

Carey, of course, could not let the situation continue to develop, and stood up indignantly to defend himself.

And Parker was not to be outdone, and said loudly: "What slander, don't talk about me, many people in the crew knew it at that time, after all, how could a producer come to the crew with a large amount ......of cash all day long, for fear that the money would not be used up."

"Wait......"

Before Parker could finish speaking, Carey interrupted and asked, "If this movie is involved in money laundering, then why did Temple also say before that your taxes are underreported by half, why don't you report more?" Wouldn't it be possible to wash a little more? ”

"I'll answer that question, Attorney Carey."

This time it was David's turn to speak up, and he continued: "Because according to the price comparison in 1992, the salary given to them at that time was actually twice that of the market, so they must underreport half of the tax amount, otherwise it will cause an investigation, but these expenses can be declared on the total cost of the film after the filming is completed, which is why many criminals like to use movies to launder money!" ”

After David's explanation, Carey was silent for a while.

And the people watching at the scene suddenly realized that at the same time, they also fell into a state of thoughtfulness.

"Okay, even if this movie involves money laundering, but my client, who was just a fledgling actor at the time, didn't know about this, isn't this also a normal thing?"

Carey decided not to dwell on the question of whether to launder or not, as long as Zhu Li did not know this, then according to the innocence of those who did not know, the IRS would not be guilty.

"No, Ms. Zhu Li is not only in the know, I even have reason to think that he is involved!"

"Protest Your Excellency! Witness, this is slander! ”

"Slander or not, isn't Ms. Zhu Li the most clear, after all, the producer at that time was quite willing to spend money on Ms. Zhu Li......"

"Ahem!"

David interrupted Parker, who was slightly agitated, with a cough, according to his original intention, he wanted to send Zhu Li and others to court, get some fines, and then implicate the eight major Hollywood studios, but he didn't really say that he wanted to make a grudge with these big names.

But now this Parker is getting more and more angry, which obviously conflicts with the result he wants.

At this time, Parker also realized that he had lost his words under the persecution of the opposing lawyer, and hurriedly threw an apologetic look at David.

But no matter what, Parker's words still made many people in the audience feel dumbfounded.

Is the producer willing to spend money on Zhu Li?

This sentence is simply too informative.

Does that mean that when Zhu Li first debuted, there were also some unspoken rules of trading?

Although in the film and television industry, this is a normal thing.

But now Zhu Li is an international first-line movie star, and now she is still in the courtroom watched by countless people, where can she still get off the stage?

(End of chapter)