Lauryn Hill Says Everything Is Everything, Addresses Million Dollar Tax Evasion Case

Written By S. Samuel

Grammy-winning singer Lauryn Hill has stepped forward to address making headlines this week for reportedly dodging taxes in the mid-2000's by releasing an open statement defending her image.

1.7k Views Comments Off on Lauryn Hill Says Everything Is Everything, Addresses Million Dollar Tax Evasion Case

In her statement, Hill claims she withdrew her family from the entertainment industry spotlight and resorted to a glamour-less way of living during the time in question.

“As my potential to work, and therefore earn freely, was being threatened, I did whatever needed to be done in order to insulate my family from the climate of hostility, false entitlement, manipulation, racial prejudice, sexism and ageism that I was surrounded by,” she wrote in a statement. “This was absolutely critical while trying to find and establish a new and very necessary community of healthy people, and also heal and detoxify myself and my family while raising my young children. There were no exotic trips, no fleet of cars, just an all out war for safety, integrity, wholeness and health, without mistreatment denial, and/or exploitation. In order to liberate myself from those who found it ok to oppose my wholeness, free speech and integral growth by inflicting different forms of punitive action against it, I used my resources to sustain our safety and survival until I was able to restore my ability to earn outside of it! [sic]” (Ms Lauryn Hill Tumblr)

She also acknowledged getting pressured into paying her taxes and promised the matter is being handled.

“Learning from the past, insulating friends and family from the influence of external manipulation and corruption, is far more important to me than being misunderstood for a season! I did not deliberately abandon my fans, nor did I deliberately abandon any responsibilities, but I did however put my safety, health and freedom and the freedom, safety and health of my family first over all other material concerns! I also embraced my right to resist a system intentionally opposing my right to whole and integral survival. I conveyed all of this when questioned as to why I did not file taxes during this time period. Obviously, the danger I faced was not accepted as reasonable grounds for deferring my tax payments, as authorities, who despite being told all of this, still chose to pursue action against me, as opposed to finding an alternative solution. My intention has always been to get this situation rectified. When I was working consistently without being affected by the interferences mentioned above, I filed and paid my taxes. This only stopped when it was necessary to withdraw from society, in order to guarantee the safety and well-being of myself and my family. As this, and other areas of issue are resolved and set straight, I am able to get back to doing what I should be doing, the way it should be done. This is part of that process. To those supporters who were told that I abandoned them, that is untrue. I abandoned greed, corruption, and compromise, never you, and never the artistic gifts and abilities that sustained me. [sic]” (Ms Lauryn Hill Tumblr)

The award-winning singer is due in court to address her tax issues later this month.

The U.S. Attorney’s office in New Jersey filed charges against reclusive singer Lauryn Hill today on three counts of failure to file tax returns for 2005, 2006 and 2007. During those years, Hill received $1.6 million in income. While Hill receives most of her income from royalties, she also operates four companies: Creations Music, Inc., Boogie Tours, Inc., L.H. Productions 2001, Inc. and Studio 22, Inc. Hill faces a maximum $100,000 penalty and is scheduled to appear in court, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Shipp, on June 29, 2012. (Philly)

Keeping busy as of late, Hill surprised fans last weekend by performing at New York radio station Hot 97’s Summer Jam concert.

Lauryn Hill walked onstage to the murky sounds of the Fugees‘ “Ready or Not.” Clearly the “not” in the equation, the girl sitting next to this writer began to cry, her entire body shaking to keep up with her hands. Hill, who performed a New York comeback show of her own the night prior, did “Lost Ones” as she’d originally recorded it, her raps delivered with bite and confidence. Nas, who hadn’t left the stage, joined in for “If I Ruled the World,” a sing-along for the masses. Her eyes looked wide, her lashes big. Her appearance was perfect in its imperfections: she didn’t hit all of the right notes, but she did hit the sweet spots. (Rolling Stone)

Check out Lauryn Hill’s Hot 97 Summer Jam ’12 performance below:

Comments Off on Lauryn Hill Says Everything Is Everything, Addresses Million Dollar Tax Evasion Case

Written by S. Samuel

Steven Samuel is the co-founder of SOHH.com.

Wake-Up Mr. Nash: The-Dream Admits Lying About Gwyneth Paltrow’s N-Word Tweet

Kanye West

Where Are You Yeezy? Kim Kardashian’s $750,000 Kanye West B-Day Present Revealed