Grammy Award winning singer Lauryn Hill might be sent to the slammer.
The hip-hop soulstress pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to file tax returns on money she earned from 2005 to 2007. She reportedly earned more than $1.5 million over the course of those three years.
Lauryn Hill, who appeared in U.S District Court in Newark, NJ on Friday and admitted to not filing taxes for all three years, faces a maximum one-year sentence on each count, as reported by the Associated Press.
According to TMZ, when the judge asked if Hill “intentionally and willingly” failed to file the returns, she replied simply, “Yes.” TMZ continued, stating that Hill could also face $75,000 worth of fines.
Hill was released on $150,000 bail.
Born in South Orange, NJ in May 26th, 1975, Lauryn Hill was a natural performer, singing at Harlem’s Apollo Theater at the early age of 13. Soon after, Hill met Prakazrel Michel and his cousin Wyclef Jean and together they formed the Fugees. Around this time, Hill was also acting, appearing on the soap opera As the World Turns and the film Sister Act II: Back in the Habit.
In 1996, the Fugees released their second album The Score, which went on to sell 17 million albums, making them the largest selling rap group of all time and winning them Grammys for Best Rap Album and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group. In 1998, Hill released her debut solo effort The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill which sold over 12 million albums and earned many awards, establishing her as a solo talent force to be reckoned with.
She then fell largely under the radar for years, raising her six children, five of whom she had with Rohan Marley, son of reggae legend Bob Marley.
Lauryn Hill’s sentencing hearing is set for November.
