Rapper and actor Ja Rule admitted Tuesday that he failed to pay taxes on more than $3 million in income, and he faces up to three years in prison.
The platinum-selling rapper, whose given name is Jeffrey Atkins, earned the money between 2004 and 2006 while he lived in Saddle River, an upscale community in northern New Jersey.
If the plea conditions are met, the government will dismiss two counts against him for unpaid taxes on about $1 million he earned in 2007 and 2008.
Atkins is scheduled to be sentenced June 13 on the three tax evasion charges. He faces up to one year in prison and $100,000 in fines on each count.
According to a court filing by the U.S. Attorney's office, Atkins earned the money from music royalties paid to ASJA Inc. and live performance-related income paid to Rule Tours Inc. Atkins was the sole shareholder of both companies, the government alleged.
His attorney noted that her client surrendered voluntarily and will pay the delinquent taxes.
Source: Miami Herald David Porter Associated Press
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