December 22, 2012 15:53

Fat Joe pleads guilty to tax evasion

Rapper could face up to two years in prison

Fat Joe has pleaded guilty to charges of tax evasion, according to reports.

According to Billboard, the rapper could face up to two years in prison after appearing in court earlier this week (December 20), although he won't be sentenced until April next year.

The hip-hop star, whose real name is Joseph Cartagena, faced charges of failing to pay income tax on millions of dollars he earned in 2007 and 2008. When asked in court by US Magistrate Cathy Waldor if he understood the charges, he reportedly replied: "I super understand it."

His lawyer, Jeffrey Lichtman, said that his client "had already taken steps to resolve this situation" before he was hit with the charges and also claimed that the rapper had formulated plans to pay back the taxes he owes before his sentencing in April 2013.

Fat Joe, who is best known for his hit-singles including 'What's Luv?', 'Lean Back' and 'Make It Rain', released his debut album 'Me, Myself & I' in 2006 and his most recent studio offering 'The Darkside Vol. 1' in 2010. He hasn't released a studio LP since although a follow-up mix-tape, titled 'The Darkside Vol. 2', did come out in 2011. In September last year, meanwhile, he told XXL he was working on a new LP and had roped in names including Chris Brown to feature on the record.

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