Former Murder Inc. artist Ja Rule has reportedly pleaded guilty for failing to file federal taxes over the course of five years dating back to 2004.
Details of his guilty plea emerged across the Internet Tuesday (March 22) afternoon.
Rapper Ja Rule could go to prison for three years but likely will be fined after admitting in federal court in Newark today that he ducked $1.1 million in federal income taxes on nearly $4.4 million in royalties and live performance payments over five years. U.S. Magistrate Judge Patty Shwartz allowed 35-year-old Jeffrey Atkins, who lives in the tony Bergen community of Saddle River, to remain free on $500,000 bail pending a scheduled June 13 sentencing. (Cliffview Pilot)
An attorney for Rule also confirmed today’s court event.
“He’s been working on addressing these issues for some time,” his attorney, Stacy Richmond, said after the hearing. “He’s taking full responsibility. He voluntarily walked in here, he wasn’t arrested.” (North Jersey News)
Earlier this month, a judge delayed Rule’s gun possession case sentencing in light of the tax situation.
Ja Rule is set to go to prison in June in a New York City gun case. On Wednesday, a judge set a June 8 date for the platinum-selling rapper-actor’s sentencing. His lawyer says he’ll spend the intervening months finishing a new album, “Renaissance Project,” and taking care of tax matters. The 35-year-old performer pleaded guilty in December to attempted weapon possession. He agreed to a two-year prison term. (Wall Street Journal)
In addition to dealing with his taxes, Rule is planning to drop two albums before his June 8th sentencing.
“Me and @iam7Aurelius making history AGAIN PIL2,R.P. both dropping June 7!!! I’m not playing wit y’all…,” he tweeted Friday (March 18).
“#RenaissanceProject June 7th… Pain is Love 2 June 7th… Let’s goooooo!!!”
“I WILL NOT LOSE!!! #WINNING… June 7th!!!” (Ja Rule’s Twitter)
Check out some recent Ja Rule footage down below: