S. Samuel
CEO of Ruffhouse Records Chris Schwartz has issued a statement on this week's news of his artist and rap veteran Beanie Sigel receiving two years behind bars in a tax evasion case.
Despite the bad news, Schwartz said Ruffhouse is fully behind Beans and will continue to push his THIS TIME LP which is slated to drop August 28th.
“Regardless of this unfortunate situation, Beanie has created a tremendous body of work that is totally worthy of the Ruffhouse name. It’s almost ironic that the sentencing is happening on the eve of this record, because this record is about introspection and redemption. Beanie is truly one of the great lyricists in the hip-hop game. He stands tall among all the major MCs and he’s revered by all hip-hop aficionados around the world.” (Statement)
Sigel received his two-year jail sentence at a Thursday (July 12) court hearing.
A hip-hop hero to many in the region, Beanie Sigel (Dwight Grant) is headed to prison. The South Philly-born Lansdale resident this afternoon was sentenced to 24-months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Jan E. Dubois for failing to file federal income tax returns, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Philly has announced. The “All the Above” singer must report to prison on Sept. 12. Reportedly Sigel avoided a stiffer sentence by pleading guilty to the charge. Sigel also must pay all taxes, penalties and interests he still owes to the IRS. Prosecutors say Sigel owes the IRS $728,536 for tax years 1999 through 2005. (Philly)
According to reports, federal prosecutors wanted Beans behind bars for three years.
This is what will make news in Philadelphia this week: COURTS Slammer for Beanie Sigel? Sentencing is scheduled for rapper Beanie Sigel, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to failing to file federal income-tax returns for 2003 to 2005. Federal prosecutors are seeking the maximum allowable sentence, which is three years. Sigel, whose actual name is Dwight Grant, earned in excess of $1 million in net income those years and owes approximately $348,077 in taxes, prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum. He paid no taxes during those years. (Philly)
Prior to rescheduling, Sigel was previously slated to get sentenced in April.
A sentencing hearing on federal tax charges for rapper Beanie Sigel was postponed Thursday. Defense attorneys Fortunato Perri Jr. and Mark Cedrone told U.S. District Judge Jan DuBois on Wednesday that Sigel had not provided the financial information a probation officer requested or allowed a home visit by the officer. DuBois rescheduled sentencing for July 12. (Philly Tablet)
Check out some recent Beanie Sigel footage below:
