Lauryn Hill Sentenced To Prison For Failing To Pay Taxes

Singer Lauryn Hill was sentenced to three months in prison Monday afternoon for not paying taxes on more than $2.3 million in earnings for five years beginning in 2005.

She must also serve up to an additional 3 months’ home confinement and pay various penalties and interest fees.

Hill made a lengthy statement in court immediately prior to her sentencing but declined to speak to reporters outside federal court in Newark.

Hill said that the burdens of fame complicated her efforts to earn money and that she had been thrust into a industry at a young age not fully understanding the consequences. Describing herself as “the child of former slaves,” Hill said she was forced to choose between her artistic integrity and the commercial demand to put out more hit music.

“I was ushered into a system I didn’t really understand the nature of, its violence, its need to squeeze every dime from a talent such as myself,” Hill said. “This industry creates an illusion of wealth and success that takes a toll on an individual.”

During a three-hour proceeding before Federal Magistrate Madeline Cox Arleo, Hill’s attorney Nathan Hochman argued that Hill -- who faced up to 3 years in jail -- should receive probation with no jail time or, at worst, home confinement.

Hochman, in arguing for a “downward departure” from the sentencing guidelines, said Hill merely failed to pay taxes and did not submit a fraudulent return or attempt to conceal assets.

Hochman also cited other high-profile defendants, like singer Willie Nelson and actor Nicholas Cage, who did not serve jail time despite running afoul of the IRS. Hill also has repaid all $900,000 in taxes she owed, albeit later than she had promised to do, Hochman said.

“The question was never if we were going to pay taxes, but when,” Hochman said.

Hochman also cited Hill’s charitable work and her family obligations as a single mother of six.

“As the court is aware Ms. Hill is the primary caregiver of six children between the ages of 15 years and 21 months,” Hochman said, also alluding to court papers showing some of the children have “issues” that would be exacerbated by Hill’s absence from their home.

Hill told the court that the period when she failed to file tax returns was a time when she was intentionally pulling back from the limelight for the sake of her family in order to live “underground.”

The government, represented by Assistant US Attorney Sandra Moser, countered that Hill always had ample funds to pay the taxes that she owed and that she had done almost no charitable work for years until her recent troubles with the IRS.

Moser also said that Hill had the resources to care for her large family if she were imprisoned, including support payments of $15,000 a month provided by Rohan Marley, the father of several of the of the children. Marley is the son of reggae legend Bob Marley.

Moser also said exonerating Hill would send the wrong message to tens of millions of law-abiding taxpayers of far more modest means.

“The defendant does not deserve a get-out-of-jail card for deigning to pay what she owes,” said Moser.   

Arleo rejected Hill’s request for no jail time, citing precedent and also expressing skepticism regarding Hill’s claim that her failure to file tax returns somehow stemmed from her self-imposed isolation from public life.

“[Paying taxes] can be done quietly and underground,” Arleo said.

But Arleo also noted that Hill had made restitution, had no prior criminal history and that her family obligations were still significant enough to warrant a much lighter sentence than the maximum allowed under guidelines.

Hill’s sentence is to begin by July 8. Arleo agreed to pass on a request from Hochman that Hill serve her time in a facility near her family.  

The 37-year-old former member of the Fugees, who lives in South Orange, pleaded guilty in federal court in June 2012 to the tax charge. The eight-time Grammy winner earned most of that income from music and film royalties, and also owned at least four businesses..

Hill addressed her public through her Tumblr page commenting on her tax situation, Sony Music and music she is working on.

Hill released a new song, "Neurotic Society (Compulsory Mix)" on Friday.