Today, in a Newark, New Jersey federal courtroom, singer Lauryn Hill pled guilty to three counts of tax evasion.
When asked if she “intentionally and willingly” failed to file taxes for 2005, 2006 and 2007, Hill replied with “Yes,” according to TMZ.
During the listed years, Hill earned a reported $1.8M from music and film royalties. If convicted, she faces three years in prison. She also faces $75K in fines.
The mother of six was released on $150K bail and a hearing is set for late November.
Hill wrote a lengthy response to her tax problems earlier this month. The star says she neglected to pay taxes for her family’s sake. “For the past several years, I have remained what others would consider underground,” she wrote in the rant. Hill claims she stopped paying taxes “when it was necessary to withdraw from society, in order to guarantee the safety and well-being of myself and my family.”
She tried to explain her case to authorities who questioned her. “Obviously, the danger I faced was not accepted as reasonable grounds for deferring my tax payments, as authorities, who despite being told all of this, still chose to pursue action against me, as opposed to finding an alternative solution.”
