Redemption movement

The redemption theory is an American tax evasion scheme created by Roger Elvick. The theory holds that when the United States government abandoned the gold standard in 1933, it pledged its citizens as security in order to borrow the money it needed to function. Supposedly, the government created a fictitious person ("strawman") corresponding to each newborn with bank accounts initially holding $630,000. The theory further holds that through obscure procedures under the Uniform Commercial Code, a citizen can "reclaim" the strawman and write checks against its accounts.

Elvick pleaded guilty in April 2005 to one count each of forgery, extortion and corruption in connection with the theory. He was sentenced to four years in an Ohio state prison.

See also

• Tax protester