Method Man Arrested for Tax Evasion

Rapper Method Man, real name Clifford Smith, has turned himself in after being slapped with a tax-evasion charge, and is currently awaiting arraignment. He has been charged with two counts of tax evasion. According to a press release issued just hours ago, the Wu-Tang Clan member owes the state $33,000 in personal income taxes, plus penalties and other fees, having failed to pay his taxes for four years, as MTV News can also confirm.

Between 2003 and 2007, the rapper did not pay any income tax, while also repeatedly failing to file personal income taxes, court documents reveal. Authorities are determined to prosecute him to the full extent of the law to make of his case an example, it is also being said, because, when such a high-profile person fails to pay taxes, it’s the average Joes and Janes who take it upon themselves to do so. If found guilty on all the charges brought against him, Method Man faces up to four years in jail.

“The rapper, a Staten Island native, turned himself in to police and was later charged with two counts of tax evasion. […] The most serious charge he faces is a felony violation of repeated failure to file personal income and earnings tax. The rapper was also slapped with a misdemeanor failure to pay tax charge. The rapper turned himself in to the DA’s detective squad on his own accord to face the charges. He was investigated after it was discovered he had failed to pay personal taxes dating back to 2004 through 2007, totaling $32,799. The rapper is also on the hook for accrued interest and penalties stemming from the back taxes.” MTV says of the charges brought against Method Man.

He’s not getting off the hook that easily either, as Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan promises he will be investigated and prosecuted in the most “aggressive” manner to show that the law is the same for everyone else. Being a celebrity is often considered a good-enough reason to believe that certain stipulations don’t apply, and prosecutors want to demonstrate that this is not the case here with Method Man.

“Taxes are a burden that all citizens share in a civil society, whether you’re an average Joe on the street or a high-profile rap artist. Because of the alleged action of people like Mr. Smith, law abiding citizens face higher taxes and reduced government services.” Donovan says in the aforementioned press release, as cited by MTV. Method Man is being represented by Peter Frankel and, as noted above, is currently awaiting to be arraigned. His camp has made no statement regarding the situation so far.