Rapper DMX Pleads Guilty To Tax frauds of $1.7 million-Sentenced To Five Years In Prison
In July 2017, DMX was accused of 14 counts of tax fraud, at the time he pleaded not guilty. However, last Thursday at a Manhattan court the rapper pleaded guilty, facing up to five years of prison time. During the Thursday’s court session, he blamed people in charge of him for the tax fraud from 2010-2015, he didn’t file any tax returns.
On November 30, 2017, rapper DMX, born Earl Simmons pleaded guilty to a single count of tax fraud after five months of his arrest on charges of withholding $1.7 million in taxes over a five year period.
In July 2017, DMX was accused of 14 counts of tax fraud, at the time he pleaded not guilty. However, last Thursday at a Manhattan court the rapper pleaded guilty, facing up to five years of prison time. During the Thursday’s court session, he blamed people in charge of him for the tax fraud from 2010-2015, he didn’t file any tax returns.
He admitted in the court saying, "I'm responsible... I failed to file taxes."
It has come to light that the 46-year old rapper allegedly went out of his way to evade taxes by setting up accounts in other’s names(used his manger’s bank account to deposit his income), avoiding personal bank accounts and paying personal expenses mainly in cash.
The acting U.S attorney for Southern District of New York, Joon H. Kim, said in a statement:
"Simmons made a choice between ‘Right or Wrong,’ and did the right thing, admitting his guilt, and agreeing to pay his tax liabilities. No matter who you are or whatever fame you may have achieved, the law applies equally to all, and no one is exempt from the shared obligation to pay our taxes."
If he had been charged with 14 counts of tax fraud, it would mean 44 years behind bars. Now, DMX has agreed to repay the IRS, as part of the guilty plea through his future earnings and royalties.
The rapper’s lawyer, Murray Richman said to ABC News,
"He's of the opinion that he's guilty because he didn't properly supervise his own life. He gave the responsibility of paying his taxes to others but he knows it was his responsibility. He’s owning up to it at this particular point."
The judge has set the sentencing for March 29 next year, but due to DMX’s ongoing rehabilitation stint for drug and alcohol issues, the date is likely to be postponed.
