The Rapper Fat Joe, whose real name is Joseph Cartagena, has voluntarily reported to federal prison in Florida to serve a four-month sentence for tax evasion.
Fat Joe, who was charged with tax law violations in New Jersey, pleaded guilty in December 2012 to failing to pay taxes on more than $1 million of income in 2007 and 2008. The platinum-selling artist faced charges in New Jersey because many of the companies he earned income from are incorporated in the state. Initially facing up to two years in prison for his crimes, he received a four-month sentence and will also face an additional year of supervised release after completing his prison sentence. Cartagena will also be required to pay a $15,000 fine for his crimes.
In a recent interview with Fuse magazine, Fat Joe took responsibility for his mistakes but noted that it was not entirely his fault.
“I did everything I possibly can to correct the situation,” Cartagena said, according to the Los Angeles Times. “I paid them back. It wasn’t entirely my fault. I had a new accountant for like the last four years. And then you could see that my accountant that worked for me for the 15 years prior to that always paid my stuff on time, always had it on time.”
Fat Joe is not the first artist to face prison time after being charged with tax evasion. Grammy-winning singer Lauryn Hill is currently serving a three-month prison sentence in Connecticut for failing to pay more than $1.8 million in earnings between 2005 and 2007. Hill’s sentencing also took into account unpaid state and federal taxes in 2008 and 2009, bringing the total amount of owed taxes to $2.3 million. Similar to Fat Joe, Hill will also face tighter supervision for a year after she is released from prison.
Why Every Business Should Conduct an Annual Insurance Coverage Review
Most New Jersey business owners purchase insurance policies, file them away, and assume they are protected if a claim arises. Without a regular insurance coverage review, many companies discover gaps only after a lawsuit, cyberattack, property loss, or other significant event occurs. An annual insurance coverage review can help businesses identify potential risks, ensure their […]
Demand Letters & Cease and Desist Letters: When to Send One (and When Not To)
Businesses and individuals often encounter situations where another party breaches a contract, fails to pay a debt, or continues harmful conduct. In many such disputes, a precisely drafted demand letter or cease-and-desist letter serves as a powerful legal tool. It can frequently resolve the dispute and avoid litigation. While demand or cease-and-desist letters can resolve […]
Key provisions in your contracts, including those relating to indemnification, insurance, and defense, are essential to contract risk management. While sometimes considered “boilerplate,” these provisions play a pivotal role when determining which party is responsible for certain costs and liabilities. They must always be negotiated and drafted carefully. Indemnification Clauses Businesses should never overlook the […]
Portability of estate and gift tax enables a surviving spouse to inherit any unused portion of their deceased spouse’s federal estate and gift tax exemption. So, if one spouse doesn’t utilize their full exemption, the surviving spouse can effectively double their exemption amount with regard to estate tax liability. For married couples, portability offers a […]
Pet Trusts in New Jersey and New York: A Practical Estate Planning Tool
For many of us, pets are more than companions—they are members of the family. Yet they are often overlooked or inadequately provided for when it comes to estate planning. A pet trust offers a legally enforceable way to ensure that your animal continues to receive proper care if you become incapacitated or pass away. As […]
For many New Jersey business owners, a closely held company represents decades of work, financial investment, and personal sacrifice. Trusts in business succession planning are one of the most effective tools for protecting that value, allowing founders to control how and when the business passes to the next generation while reducing the risk of disputes, […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
