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Eight-time Grammy-winning singer Lauryn Hill has pleaded guilty in New Jersey to not paying
federal taxes on more than $1.5 million earned over three years.
Appearing in U.S. District Court in Newark, Hill admitted failing to file tax returns from 2005
to 2007. She faces a maximum one-year sentence on each of the three counts. She was charged
three weeks ago. Dressed in a dark jacket, white button-up shirt and a long reddish-orange
skirt, Hill declined to comment after Friday’s hearing. During the hearing, attorney Nathan
Hochman indicated that Hill planned to pay back the taxes she owes. U.S. Magistrate Michael
Shipp initially scheduled sentencing for early October but agreed to delay it until late Novem-
ber to give Hill time to make repayment. Hill admitted she didn’t pay taxes on about $818,000
earned in 2005, $222,000 in 2006 and $761,000 in 2007. The money was earned by four corp-
orations she owned. The 37-year-old South Orange resident got her start with The Fugees
and began her solo career in 1998 with the critically acclaimed album “The Miseducation of
Lauryn Hill.” She then largely disappeared from public view to raise her six children, five
of whom she had with Rohan Marley, the son of famed reggae singer Bob Marley. After
the charges were brought, Hill posted a long statement on her Tumblr page that decried
pop culture’s “climate of hostility, false entitlement, manipulation, racial prejudice, sex-
ism and ageism.” She explained that she hasn’t paid taxes since she withdrew from society
to guarantee the safety and well-being of herself and her family. Hill hinted Friday that
she might expand on those comments at her sentencing. When Shipp asked her if anyone
had directly or indirectly influenced her decision to plead guilty, she replied, “Indirectly, I
‘ve been advised my ability to speak out directly is for another time, at sentencing.”
