The Rapper Fat Joe, whose real name is Joseph Cartagena, has voluntarily reported to federal prison in Florida to serve a four-month sentence for tax evasion.
Fat Joe, who was charged with tax law violations in New Jersey, pleaded guilty in December 2012 to failing to pay taxes on more than $1 million of income in 2007 and 2008. The platinum-selling artist faced charges in New Jersey because many of the companies he earned income from are incorporated in the state. Initially facing up to two years in prison for his crimes, he received a four-month sentence and will also face an additional year of supervised release after completing his prison sentence. Cartagena will also be required to pay a $15,000 fine for his crimes.
In a recent interview with Fuse magazine, Fat Joe took responsibility for his mistakes but noted that it was not entirely his fault.
“I did everything I possibly can to correct the situation,” Cartagena said, according to the Los Angeles Times. “I paid them back. It wasn’t entirely my fault. I had a new accountant for like the last four years. And then you could see that my accountant that worked for me for the 15 years prior to that always paid my stuff on time, always had it on time.”
Fat Joe is not the first artist to face prison time after being charged with tax evasion. Grammy-winning singer Lauryn Hill is currently serving a three-month prison sentence in Connecticut for failing to pay more than $1.8 million in earnings between 2005 and 2007. Hill’s sentencing also took into account unpaid state and federal taxes in 2008 and 2009, bringing the total amount of owed taxes to $2.3 million. Similar to Fat Joe, Hill will also face tighter supervision for a year after she is released from prison.
Secured transactions form the backbone of a wide range of business dealings, including business loans, mortgages, and inventory financing. Because the stakes are often high and relatively minor oversights can have drastic consequences, lenders and borrowers should thoroughly understand how to form an enforceable security agreement that protects their legal rights. What Is a Secured […]
Don’t Cash a “Paid in Full” Check Without Understanding the Legal Implications
Cashing a check marked “paid in full” can be a risky endeavor, particularly if you don’t fully understanding the legal implications. If you are owed more than the amount of the check you accept and deposit, you may waive your right to collect the full disputed amount. That is why you should consider either rejecting […]
Changes to Qualified Small Business Stock Will Benefit Startup Founders and Investors
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (OBBBA) significantly impacts federal taxes, credits, and deductions. A key change relating to Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) allows greater tax-free gains for investments in startups and other qualifying small businesses. Company founders and other investors should understand how the enhanced tax strategy works or risk missing […]
Corporate Consolidation and Antitrust Issues in Mergers
Corporate consolidation involves two or more businesses merging to become a single larger entity. The result is often a stronger and more competitive company that can better navigate today’s competitive marketplace. What Is Corporate Consolidation? Corporate consolidation closely resembles a basic merger transaction. The primary difference is that a consolidation creates an entirely new business […]
Business law plays a critical role in nearly every aspect of running a successful enterprise, from negotiating a commercial lease to drafting employee policies to fulfilling corporate disclosure obligations. Understanding what is business law and your legal obligations can help your business run smoothly and build productive relationships with clients, business partners, regulators, and others. […]
Corporate Transactions: Best Practices for Successful Deals
Corporate transactions can have significant implications for a corporation and its stakeholders. For deals to be successful, companies must act strategically to maximize value and minimize risk. It is also important to fully understand the legal and financial ramifications of corporate transactions, both in the near and long term. Understanding Corporate Transactions The term “corporate […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
