S. Samuel
Grammy-winning singer Wyclef Jean has revealed his reaction to estranged Fugees member Lauryn Hill's publicized tax woes and just how distanced they are these days.
Brief with his words, the hip-hop veteran wished Hill nothing but the best in light of her legal troubles.
“Actually, you know, I ain’t speak to Lauryn. It’s been a minute. I heard about the little drama she got in the news, wishing her better on that. You know? Actually, I was on the phone with Pras earlier. It’s all good. Nothing but love for the Fugees.” (Montreality)
Last month, Fugees member Pras spoke on Hill’s $1.8 million tax debt case.
“I’m bugging! I can’t believe it! I’m sitting here on a plane to L.A. listening to Phil Collins and Philip Bailey “Easy Lover” on my iPod. But I don’t believe she’ll go to jail, but d*mn bail is 150K?! Zimmerman was about the same. Go figure! … This is crazy!! [sic]” (Global Grind)
According to reports, Hill could also get hit with $75,000 in fines in addition to having to pay over $1.8 million in tax debt.
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. (Star-Ledger)
She avoided incarceration by posting a hefty bail bond at her Newark, New Jersey federal court appearance in June.
Hill, 37, a hip hop singer and rapper best known as a member of the Fugees and for a Grammy-winning 1998 solo album, pleaded guilty to failing to file federal returns between 2005 and 2007, despite an income of more than $1.8 million primarily from film and recording royalties. Her sentencing date was set for sometime in late November. She was released on $150,000 bail. (Reuters)
Check out Wyclef Jean’s interview below:
