A few weeks ago, court documents surfaced saying Jersey native Lauryn Hill (shown above heading into court) failed to pay her taxes for the 2005-2007 years, despite the fact she earned $1.6 million during that time.
And during her
hearing with a federal court magistrate, the "X-Factor" singer plead guilty to
the tax evasion charges. Sentencing will happen this September, and she faces
up to three years and prison plus $75,000 in fines.
Lauryn's lawyer,
Nathan Hockman, blamed the government for "targeting her since she's a celebrity" instead of taking responsibility
for failing to pay taxes.
"There are many people
in society who fail to file their taxes on time who only face civil liability.
They chose Ms. Hill in particular because of who she was."
Well that explains
why she thought her lengthy posting as to why she didn't pay her taxes--citing
that she had "withdrawn form society" and let the government know already she
wasn't paying--was a valid explanation.
The New Jersey News
described the hearing saying:
Hill
spoke little at her hearing today and stood attentively with her arms crossed in
front of her chest when the judge first addressed her. She appeared in a white
button-down shirt, blue blazer and long coral skirt.
She
did, however, take issue with two statements made by U.S. District Judge Michael
Shipp that she discussed in whispers with Hockman at length.
Hill
raised her concerns with Hockman when the judge asked her if anyone had forced
her to enter a guilty plea either directly or indirectly, and again when the
judge ordered her to undergo mental health counseling as directed by pre-trial
intervention services.
Through her
attorney, Hill asked the judge to clarify what he meant by the words "directly" and "directed."
"Ms. Hill is very
particular about language," Hockman said. "Language is very important to Ms.
Hill."
My heart hurts for Lauryn.
I would have thought after seeing so many other people go through this some would
learn their lessons. I guess not. However I hope it gets handled without jail
time being a resolution.
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