DMX Pleads Not Guilty to Dodging $1.7M Tax Debt, Released From Jail

DMX Pleads Not Guilty to Dodging $1.7M Tax Debt, Released From Jail

Rapper DMX has pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud and hiding his actual income from the government.

Recall that the rapper whose real name is Earl Simmons surrendered to law enforcement on Thursday following reports that he has been dodging the IRS.

According to Billboard, the rap legend appeared in court on Friday (July 14) in a federal court in New York City to deny charges that he’s owing $1.7 million in back taxes.

After pleading not guilty, the rapper was released on a $500,000 bond.

Records showed that the rapper was paid $125,000 for appearing on a TV show, Couples Therapy, but when the cheque came in and he saw that tax was withheld, he demanded for a new cheque with the full amount which he got. The documents also listed the 2011 and 2012 incomes which he hid as $353k and $542k respectively. And in 2013, when he reported his income, he allegedly reported $10k when in fact he earned $250k that year.

DMX who has been battling personal issues faces 44 years in prison if he is convicted of the charges.

TMZ adds that the rapper has been slapped with travel restrictions outside the NYC area where he lives, must undergo strict drug testing, and is not allowed to carry any firearms while on bail.

It is going to be a long prosecution prosecution process. For now, it is unclear when next he will be in court.