Lauryn Hill Behind Bars For Tax Evasion

Information may not be reliable

The most recent celebrity to find herself in trouble with the law for neglecting to pay federal income taxes is ex-Fugee Lauryn Hill. An eight-time Grammy-winning recording artist, who was sentenced earlier this spring to three months in federal prison for neglecting to report over $2 million in earnings over a period of five years. Following the prison term, she will still be under the watchful eye of the law, thanks to three more months of home confinement with electronic monitoring. Hill's defense lawyer said she made good on the $970,000 tax bill, but it was a case of too little too late for U.S. Magistrate Judge Madeline Cox, who delivered the sentence in Newark, N.J. federal court. The tax offense, to which Hill pled guilty last year, will cost her an additional $60,000 in fines. Hill faced sentences of up to a year each on three tax evasion counts. While some might say she got off easy, most have viewed this as an unexpectedly harsh sentence.

From Grammy Winner to Tax Evader

Hill has had a successful career both singing and acting, and her debut solo album debuted to massive acclaim both from the listening audience as well as critics which made her a music industry darling in the late 1990s. There has been recent speculation about the possibility of a comeback deal with Sony Worldwide Entertainment, which would get Hill's career and finances back on track, but--at least for the time being--any recording sessions may have to take place from the inside of a jail cell. While it's not yet clear where she'll serve her sentence, Hill is scheduled to report to prison on July 8.

Deliberate of Misunderstanding?

So was it a deliberate act of evasion, or a case of simple misunderstanding? We may never know. As the 37-year-old Hill informed the judge, she had always planned to pay the taxes, but couldn't come up with the money. More specifically, according to court documents, Hill felt cornered into withdrawing from society because of her perception of external danger to her own well-being, as well as that of her family members.

In Good Company

Hill is not the first music industry star to run into trouble with the tax man, although she is one of the few to end up with a free three-month vacation to the federal pen. Other celebs who took on the I.R.S. and lived to tell have included Willie Nelson, who in 1990 avoided jail time despite owing over $16 million in back taxes, penalties and interest; Jerry Lee Lewis, who was acquitted in 1984 of charges of trying to avoid paying just under $1 million in taxes over a five-year period; the legendary Chuck Berry, who was sentenced three months for $110,000 worth of tax evasion, despite originally facing up to 11 years; and MC Hammer, who provided he couldn't handle his tax responsibilities and reportedly still owes over $600,000. "Can't Touch This," indeed.

Getting a Good Lawyer

If you find yourself in a situation like this it is best to contact a tax attorney (here) to help you sort out the situation and decide what the best plan of action is going to be.