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Post by ladona on Jun 29, 2012 18:35:18 GMT 1
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Post by r3b3l on Jun 29, 2012 18:47:53 GMT 1
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Post by ladona on Jun 29, 2012 19:07:12 GMT 1
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Eight-time Grammy-winning singer Lauryn Hill pleaded guilty Friday to not paying federal taxes on more than $1.5 million earned over three years. Appearing in U.S. District Court in Newark, Hill admitted failing to file tax returns from 2005 to 2007. She faces a maximum one-year sentence on each of the three counts. She was charged three weeks ago. Dressed in a dark jacket, white button-up shirt and a long reddish-orange skirt, Hill declined to comment after Friday's hearing. During the hearing, attorney Nathan Hochman indicated that Hill planned to pay back the taxes she owes. U.S. Magistrate Michael Shipp initially scheduled sentencing for early October but agreed to delay it until late November to give Hill time to make repayment. 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. The 37-year-old South Orange resident got her start with The Fugees and began her solo career in 1998 with the critically acclaimed album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." She then largely disappeared from public view to raise her six children, five of whom she had with Rohan Marley, the son of famed reggae singer Bob Marley. After the charges were brought, Hill posted a long statement on her Tumblr page that decried pop culture's "climate of hostility, false entitlement, manipulation, racial prejudice, sexism and ageism." She explained that she hasn't paid taxes since she withdrew from society to guarantee the safety and well-being of herself and her family. Hill hinted Friday that she might expand on those comments at her sentencing. When Shipp asked her 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." news.yahoo.com/lauryn-hill-pleads-guilty-nj-tax-charges-164605611.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter |
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mbalnd
Junior Member
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Post by mbalnd on Jun 29, 2012 19:09:06 GMT 1
I think it's clear she cut a deal with the prosecution. No jail time but fines and penalties.
Sounds like they advised her to plead guilty cause she didn't put up a defence. If she pleaded not guilty and was later found to be guilty, then it would be more severe. This will blow over in no time. Hopefully now she's cleared all her legal troubles and can back to music in order to pay for the stiff fine she'll get in November
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Post by nigel on Jun 29, 2012 19:23:34 GMT 1
Okay so basically she plead guilty for a less harsh punishment right? And if she pays everything by November, she's okay? Right? Lol ugh I forgot all about the trial/pleading stages. She sounds like she wanted to say more but we won't hear what she has to say until November. Surprisingly it's not that much money compared to what other celebs have been charged with. Nicholas Cage for instance
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Post by nigel on Jun 29, 2012 19:24:53 GMT 1
She looks great btw ..even tho its not important lol
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mbalnd
Junior Member
Posts: 140
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Post by mbalnd on Jun 29, 2012 19:38:29 GMT 1
@nigel, I am only speculating about her cutting a deal but it all points in that direction. Her lawyer did say she has been cooperating with the authorities. It doesn't make sense to plead guilty when you know you're guaranteed to go to jail. Usually you plead guilty early in the process in order to get a softer sentence.
Let's pray it's just a matter of her making payment arrangement and this goes away
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Post by ladona on Jun 29, 2012 19:54:56 GMT 1
Hill's attorney Nathan Hockman said the star had been targeted by the federal government because of her celebrity status. "There are many people in society who fail to file their taxes on time who only face civil liability," Hockman said. "They chose Ms. Hill in particular because of who she was." Hill spoke little at her hearing today and stood attentively with her arms crossed in front of her chest when the judge first addressed her. She appeared in a white button-down shirt, blue blazer and long coral skirt. She did, however, take issue with two statements made by U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp that she discussed in whispers with Hockman at length. Hill raised her concerns with Hockman when the judge asked her if anyone had forced her to enter a guilty plea either directly or indirectly, and again when the judge ordered her to undergo mental health counseling as directed by pre-trial intervention services.  Through her attorney, Hill asked the judge to clarify what he meant by the words "directly" and "directed." "Ms. Hill is very particular about language," Hockman said. "Language is very important to Ms. Hill." www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/singer_lauryn_hill_pleads_guil.html |
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Post by letsbringitback on Jun 29, 2012 19:59:00 GMT 1
DAMN SHE LOOKS GOOD !
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Post by maryseo on Jun 29, 2012 20:29:04 GMT 1
thank you all for these reports!
It seems that everything is under control.
However I cannot believe that the judge ordered Ms Hill to undergo mental health counseling. I guess they consider her paranoid. I understand her fight for truth but is it really a good thing to tell the candid truth when you face authorities that only understand the language of money and power struggle.
Anyway, she is a grown woman, she knows what she is doing.. all I can do is pray for her.
Man, these judges better not decrease our chances for a new album! lol j/k
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Post by ladona on Jun 29, 2012 20:48:39 GMT 1
 Well, she's showing that beautiful smile in this pic  I sure hope you're right about her making a deal with the prosecution, mbalnd. I just don't see the point of serving a sentence. |
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Post by Moderator on Jun 29, 2012 22:29:23 GMT 1
ladona I know right. Just so nice to see her smiling. Thanks for the photo! Let's hope that Ms.Hill can pay the feds on time and get back to where she wants to be.
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Post by Beginning on Jun 29, 2012 23:05:05 GMT 1
She looks fierce here! My, my, my. This is why I love Ms. Hill ---- cutting the fuckry with style!
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Post by mountzion on Jun 30, 2012 1:24:50 GMT 1
Whew! I was a little concerned after reading her eloquent and honest statement that they were going to lock her black arse up! LOL! But I see even after her truth, she is wise enough not to do something crazy like try to plead innocent and fight the charges. That woman ain't hardly crazy (like y'all don't already know that)
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Post by maryseo on Jun 30, 2012 1:59:07 GMT 1
by the way I made a quick research about her attorney and he was actually part of the prosecution team in the Wesley Snipes before working in the private sector, so it seems that she is represented by one of the best lawyers for this kind of matter.
And when a professional of this caliber explains that Ms Hill is targeted because of her status, it only adds more sense and seriousness to her statement on tumblr. I wish more people could see the big picture...
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