Method Man Pinched for Tax Toke
Johnny Nunez/Getty Images
Feud alert! Method Man and Uncle Sam just don't see eye to eye.
The Grammy-winning rapper and former Wu-Tang Clan man was arrested today on felony charges of skipping out on $32,799 in taxes from 2004 to 2007. The star, also known as 38-year-old Clifford Smith, was immediately arraigned and released on his own recognizance.
Let's not forget that this isn't his first time in hot water for not forking over the funds.
In 2008, his Lincoln Navigator was repossessed for owing the government. His explanation for this occurrence, however, was a bit hazy (and you should take that literally).
"Myself, I'm a pothead," he told the New York Daily News in March. "Sure [the tax department] sent letters to my house saying, 'We need this money.' They started sending them in 2002. Here it is, 2009, and I never paid this s--t because I don't think like that!"
That's too bad, because the rapper faces up to four years in prison if convicted.
"Taxes are the burden that all citizens share in a civil society, whether you are an 'average Joe' on the street or a high-profile rap artist," District Attorney Daniel Donovan said in a statement. "Because of the alleged action of people like Mr. Smith, law abiding citizens face higher taxes and reduced government services. Failure to properly report and pay your taxes is a crime against all citizens and will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted."
Method Man is due back in court Dec. 9.
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Another rapper was in the dogghouse last week. Remember who it was?
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