Prince of Ponderosa

Farmers declared independence

Three members of an 'Australian' family were convicted of fraud after declaring their land an independent kingdom.

The Rigoli family named their property in northern Victoria the Principality of Ponderosa, reports News.com.au.

Virgilio Rigoli, 67 - the self-proclaimed Prince of Ponderosa - and sons Philip, 36, and Little Joe, 25, refused to pay taxes.

During a pre-sentencing hearing, a Melbourne court heard the trio earned $6.9 million between 1991 and 2000.

Virgilio wrote a letter to the Australian Tax Office (ATO), addressing it "to the devil possessed," and Little Joe wrote another letter explaining why he refused to pay tax.

"I do not recognise nor will I ever recognise the government of Australia, signed His Royal Highness, Little Joseph Rigoli," the letter read.

Fences were erected around their 24 hectare property, which issued its own Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1994.

The farm was surrounded by a moat and people required passports to enter and leave.

Virgilio says Ponderosa was a manifestation of his resentment towards the Department of Agriculture for bulldozing his fruit crop.

The hearing continues.