NEW YORK- Rap artist and actor DMX was sentenced to one year in prison on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty in a federal case accusing him of dodging $1.7 million in taxes.
Earl Simmons, DMX real name was sentenced by US District Judge Jed Rakoff in Manhattan.
The rapper pleaded guilty to one count of tax fraud in November.
The judge believed DMX was a “good man” and the sentence was modest, explaining his reasons why he sentenced him to one year not the recommend five years.
However the judge had to give a sentence because the crime, ““It cannot go unpunished.”
Simmons before his sentence said he was sorry for failing to pay his taxes.
Simmons lawyer recited his rap song describing his difficulties he faced, “They put me in a situation forcing me to be a man/ When I was just learning to stand without a helping hand.”
In his explanation, his lawyer said the rapper’s upbringing was one of the reasons that influenced his decision making throughout his life, he was unprepared of the financial success and the responsibility that come with it.
Prosecutors said Simmons lived his life by a cash-only lifestyle, depositing royalty checks in various bank accounts belonging to other people.
Simmons has 15 children by multiple women and he explained he accounted for those children, ex-wives and former mangers.
Photo Credit- Billboard
Leave a Reply