2013 Federal conviction for tax evasion
On May 6, 2013, Hill was sentenced to federal prison for three months after being convicted of tax evasion. [78] She had faced a maximum of three years in prison; one year of incarceration for each of three counts of tax evasion. [79] Hill pleaded guilty and her attorney was satisfied with the sentence. [80] Hill stated at the time of her arrest (for failing to file tax returns or pay $970,000 in taxes on over $2.3 million dollars in income) [81] that the pop culture business was a "climate of hostility, false entitlement, manipulation, racial prejudice, sexism and ageism." [82] During sentencing she said, "I needed to be able to earn so I could pay my taxes, without compromising the health and welfare of my children, and I was being denied that" , apparently in reference to her previous assertions regarding the music business industry and her claim that "over-commercialisation and its resulting restrictions and limitations can be very damaging and distorting to the inherent nature of the individual. [83] Five of Ms. Hill's six children are grandchildren of reggae music legend Bob Marley, having been fathered by Rohan Marley. [84] The judge sentencing Hill for not paying taxes on the $2.3 million dollars of income from 2005 to 2009, heard Hill explain that she had been living "very modestly". She alluded to the fact that other people in the music business have made much money from the sale of her 16 million records saying, "Someone did the math, and it came to around $600 million. And I sit here before you trying to figure out how to pay a tax debt? If that's not like enough to slavery, I don't know." [85] No mention was made as to why Hill did not schedule payments or file returns during the years that she earned the income. Hill's attorney, Nathan Hochman, speaking to the press after sentencing said Hill has now paid her tax debt in full. [86] Mr. Hochman said that Hill's clean record, her dependent minor children, and the fact that other celebrities have been "let off and never criminally prosecuted...Willie Nelson being at least one example" helped Hill during her sentencing. [87] After Hills' arrest last year she defended her right to "resist a system intentionally opposing my right to whole and integral survival." [88] She does now, however, intend to work with the music industry again, saying "It has been reported that I signed a new record deal, and that I did this to pay taxes. Yes, I have recently entered into an agreement with Sony Worldwide Entertainment, to launch a new label, on which my new music will be released. And yes, I am working on new music." [89] Lauryn Hill has not released a music recording since her 1998 solo album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." [90]
) that make up quality of life. How many of these low taxation countries have universal healthcare? Certainly not the US. What is the education system like?
