Michael Caulfield/WireImage.comRapper Fat Joe is in some fat legal trouble.
The rap star—real name Joseph Cartagena—pleaded guilty Thursday in a New Jersey federal court to failing to pay taxes on nearly $3 million in income over the course of two years, E! News confirms.
He faces up to two years in prison for his offense.
The "Make It Rain" singer entered pleas for two misdemeanor counts from 2007 and 2008, but his sentencing will reportedly take into consideration the federal government's initial findings, which allege that the Miami Beach, Fla. resident failed to pay income taxes on his earnings from 2007 to 2010.
He reportedly owes upwards of $700,000.
Fat Joe's attorney Jeffrey Lichtman tells E! that the hip hop star had been "working to resolve his issues" even before he knew about the criminal investigation.
"We have been trying to correct this for almost a year now," Lichtman tells E! News. "We got his tax returns in order and they have been accepted by the government."
Looking noticeably slimmer and wearing a dark navy suit, Joe reportedly told the judge that he "super-understands" the charges brought against him.
"It's not a happy day," Litchman adds. "I think he is relieved to get the ball rolling and put it behind him. It is not a proud day, but I think he is proud that he has his house in order and is getting it done. He is obviously very stressed about what the future brings, but he is handling it well."
Fat Joe's sentencing is set for April 3.
—Reporting by Claudia Rosenbaum