Lauryn Hill is facing jail time after pleading guilty to tax evasion on three counts at a court in Newark, New Jersey. The 37 year-old Grammy winner admitted to not failing federal returns between the years of 2005 and 2007, despite earnings of some $1.8 million.
Hill had responded somewhat more defiantly to the charges on her tumblr account earlier this year, according to the Daily Mail, writing that she wanted to exit mainstream society. "Over-commercialization and its resulting restrictions and limitations can be very damaging and distorting to the inherent nature of the individual" she commented. "I did not deliberately abandon my fans, nor did I deliberately abandon any responsibilities, but I did however put my safety, health and freedom and the freedom, safety and health of my family first over all other material concerns! I also embraced my right to resist a system intentionally opposing my right to whole and integral survival."
Addressing the tax charges directly she'd said "My intention has always been to get this situation rectified. When I was working consistently without being affected by the interferences mentioned above, I filed and paid my taxes. This only stopped when it was necessary to withdraw from society, in order to guarantee the safety and well-being of myself and my family." However it was a different story in court and she could face three years in jail - a year for each return missed - though her attorney has claimed she will pay back the taxes, the hearing for the charges to be made being put back until November to give her a chance to do so.