Ja Rule Cops to Tax Evasion in New Jersey

Rapper digs himself a deeper hole after pleading guilty to cheating the government out of its fair share

For Ja Rule, pain will soon be prison.

Two weeks after being sent up the river for an attempted weapons-possession charge, the hip-hopster copped to tax evasion in New Jersey in a separate case that will likely add to his stay in the pokey.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of New Jersey, Ja Rule (real name Jeffrey Atkins) pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to file tax returns with the IRS for—get this—five years!

So not quite always on time. But exactly how much more jail will he get?

Right now, that's an open question. The MC was set to learn his fate in February for illegally keeping a pistol in his car after he made a guest appearance at a Lil' Wayne concert in New York in July 2007. However, the judge in that case postponed the sentencing until June 8, pending a resolution in his tax case.

Per records filed in Newark federal court, Atkins' tax violations cover a period from 2004 to 2008 during which he cheated the IRS out of taxes owed for music royalties from ASJA Inc., as well as for touring and other live-performance-related income from his company, Rule Tours Inc.

All told, Uncle Sam was out approximately $1,137,912, a hefty sum that Ja Rule promised as part of his plea deal he will pay back in full, along with penalties.

"Each of us must pay our fair share to keep this country moving. We will bring federal charges when necessary to ensure the government gets its due," U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said.

Each count carries a maximum of one year in the Big House, plus applicable fines and court costs. No word whether the artist will be allowed to serve those terms concurrently, or how jail time in his weapons case will factor in.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Patty Schwartz has set bail in his tax case at $500,000, allowing Ja Rule to remain free pending sentencing set for June 13.