The rapper Method Man surrendered himself to police yesterday, to be charged with tax evasion. The Wu-Tang Clan member, whose real name is Clifford Smith, reported to a Staten Island police station and now faces up to four years in prison.
"Taxes are the burden that all citizens share in a civil society, whether you are an 'average Joe' on the street or a high-profile rap artist," said district attorney Daniel Donovan. According to authorities, the 38-year-old rapper did not file New York state income tax for 2004 to 2007. He owes an estimated $32,799 (£16,358) in arrears.
The rapper has had tax trouble before. In March, Method Man's SUV was repossessed from outside his house after the department of taxation came calling for a reported $52,503 (£26,186) debt.
The Grammy-winning artist previously blamed his tax issues on chronic marijuana use. "Because I got high, I forgot to pay. It was stupid," he told reporters in March.
Method Man now faces a misdemeanour charge of failure to pay tax together with a felony charge of repeated failure to file personal income and earnings tax. The latter charge means he could face up to four years in jail.
"Failure to properly report and pay your taxes is a crime against all citizens and will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted," said the district attorney. "Because of the alleged action of people like Mr Smith, law abiding citizens face higher taxes and reduced government services." We take it he isn't a Wu-Tang fan.
