Lauryn Hill plead guilty to not filing income tax returns from 2005 to 2007.
The Grammy-winning singer made her plea Friday at a New Jersey courthouse, reports The Associated Press.
Hill, a member of the Fugees before recording her 1998 breakthrough solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, failed to report $818,000 in income for 2005, $222,000 in income for 2006, and $761,000 in income for 2007, according to papers filed by a New Jersey prosecutor.
Hill admitted she didn’t pay taxes on about $818,000 earned in 2005, $222,000 in 2006 and $761,000 in 2007. The money was earned by four corporations she owned.
When the judge asked if Hill “intentionally and willingly” failed to file the returns, she replied, “Yes.”
Hill was released on $150,000 bail. Her sentencing hearing is set for November.
When the charges were first filed against her, Lauryn posted a very long winded response. Here’s an excerpt:
“My intention has always been to get this situation rectified. When I was working consistently without being affected by the interferences mentioned above, I filed and paid my taxes. This only stopped when it was necessary to withdraw from society, in order to guarantee the safety and well-being of myself and my family.”
When asked if anyone had directly or indirectly influenced her decision to plead guilty, she replied, “Indirectly, I’ve been advised my ability to speak out directly is for another time, at sentencing.”
