Hip Hop artist and Fugees member, Lauryn Hill was criminally charged Thursday for refusing to file her tax returns for three years. From 2005-2007 there is no record of her paperwork. According to the U.S. attorney's office, she allegedly earned $1.6 million throughout that three-year time frame.
Hill's appearance in New Jersey District Court is expected for June 29.
If she is found guilty for the charges brought against her, the 37-year-old singer can spend up to a year in federal prison and will be charged a $100,000 fine for each count placed against her.
The mother of six previously received media attention for her performance at the Hot 97Summer Jam concert last Sunday, as a replacement for rapper Nicki Minaj. Minaj decided not to perform following a Hot 97 radio personality mocked her track "Starships."
Hill responded to the rift between Minaj and Hot 97 over twitter writing, "I don't have details on exactly what transpired between the station and the artists, but I do support artists standing by their beliefs, and walking with integrity. We have to find a better way to commercially exploit music, while giving artists their proper respect."
Hill is amongst another member of the Fugees who also faced similar charges in the past. Two years prior, Wyclef Jean owed the Internal Revenue Service over $2.1 million, according to federal tax liens filed against him. He too did not pay tax returns for a three year period that spanned from 2006 to 2008.
