Fat Joe Tax Evasion: Rapper Pleads Guilty in $700K Payment Failure
Rapper Fat Joe has pled guilty to tax evasion in a federal court in New Jersey on Dec. 20.
Fat Joe,whose real name is Joseph Catagena, 42, went to a Newark federal court facing criminal charges after he failed to pay more than $700,000 in income taxes in 2007 and 2008,according to TMZ,
The rapper reportedly earned $1.3 million in 2007 and more than $1.4 million in gross income during 2008 from concerts and music royalties.
The Bronx native had also earned gross incomes of $320,000 in 2009 and $680,000 in 2010, but he is only being held accountable for the previous two year filing periods thanks to a plea agreement with prosecutors.
"Fat Joe has taken responsibility for his tax failures. He hopes to repay his tax indebtedness," the rapper's defense attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman told The New York Post.
Fat Joe was freed after posting a $250,000 bond. His next court hearing on the matter is scheduled for April 3. He faces two years in prison and a fine totaling $200,000.
The "Lean Back" rapper maintains two homes in New Jersey and Miami.
Fat Joe has released 10 albums since he burst on the scene in 1993. He is best known for hit singles including "What's Luv?" "Make It Rain" and "Lean Back" with his group Terror Squad. His last album, "The Darkside Vol. 1," was released in 2010. Two weeks ago he released his latest single, "Angels Sing 2," from his upcoming album, "The Darkside 3."
The 42-year-old recently made amends with another artist, 50 Cent, after a well-publicized feud with the Queen rapper at the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards.
