DMX released on $500,000 bail after pleading not guilty to dodging $1.7 million in taxes

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 00:37, 15 July 2017 | Updated: 10:47, 15 July 2017

Rapper DMX has posted bail after he turned himself in to authorities on federal charges of tax fraud.

The 46-year-old rapper - whose given name is Earl Simmons - is accused of owing $1.7 million in taxes. 

He posted $500k bond after he was charged with multiple counts of tax evasion, according to TMZ on Friday. 

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Legal trouble: Rapper DMX has been bailed, after being arrested in New York on Thursday, on federal tax fraud charges 

Legal trouble: Rapper DMX has been bailed, after being arrested in New York on Thursday, on federal tax fraud charges 

He appeared in Manhattan Federal court on Friday, wearing a New York City hoodie.

Prosecutors say the Yonkers native engaged in a multi-year scheme to conceal millions of dollars of income from the Internal Revenue Service.

The rapper pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of tax evasion, according to the website. 

TMZ says that Nicholas Biase, a spokesman for the U.S. District Attorney's Office, told them that DMX has been given travel restrictions that will require him to remain close to his New York home.

Tax avoidance? The 46-year-old rapper - whose given name is Earl Simmons - is accused of owing $1.7 million in taxes

Tax avoidance? The 46-year-old rapper - whose given name is Earl Simmons - is accused of owing $1.7 million in taxes

Charged: He appeared in Manhattan Federal court on Friday, after being arrested Thursday

Charged: He appeared in Manhattan Federal court on Friday, after being arrested Thursday

Out on bail: He posted $500k bond after he was charged with multiple counts of tax evasion, according to TMZ on Friday

Out on bail: He posted $500k bond after he was charged with multiple counts of tax evasion, according to TMZ on Friday

He will also be subject to strict drug testing and is not allowed to have any firearms on him while on bail.   

Prosecutors say Simmons raked in millions from his songs, including the 2003 hit X Gon' Give it to Ya, and avoided paying taxes by setting up accounts in other's names and paying personal expenses largely in cash. 

They also allege that when Simmons participated in the reality show Celebrity Couples Therapy in 2011 and 2012, he was paid $125,000.

Case against him: Prosecutors say the Yonkers native engaged in a multi-year scheme to conceal millions of dollars of income from the Internal Revenue Service

Case against him: Prosecutors say the Yonkers native engaged in a multi-year scheme to conceal millions of dollars of income from the Internal Revenue Service

The rapper pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of tax evasion, according to the website

The rapper pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of tax evasion, according to the website

Prosecutors say Simmons raked in millions from his songs, including the 2003 hit X Gon' Give it to Ya, and avoided paying taxes

Prosecutors say Simmons raked in millions from his songs, including the 2003 hit X Gon' Give it to Ya, and avoided paying taxes

He was accompanied by his lawyer Murray Richman, who spoke to waiting press

He was accompanied by his lawyer Murray Richman, who spoke to waiting press

The rapper was relaxed at court, wearing a New York City hoodie

The rapper was relaxed at court, wearing a New York City hoodie

DMX was alongside his lawyer after his arraignment on Friday

DMX was alongside his lawyer after his arraignment on Friday

He was able to walk out after posting half a million dollars in bail

He was able to walk out after posting half a million dollars in bail

The rapper looked serious after pleading not guilty to the charges against him

The rapper looked serious after pleading not guilty to the charges against him

However, they claim that when taxes were withheld from the check for the first installment of that fee by the producer, the rapper refused to tape the remainder of the television show until the check was reissued without withholding taxes.

In 2015, Simmons spent more than two months in a New York jail for failing to pay child support.

Beginning in 1997, SIMMONS released a series of hip-hop albums that sold millions of records. Many of his albums went platinum and occupied the top positions on musical charts. 

DMX was seen outside court

DMX was seen outside court

Controversial: He tried out wearing orange previously when he appeared on Couples Therapy - his payment forms part of the prosecutor's case against him

Controversial: He tried out wearing orange previously when he appeared on Couples Therapy - his payment forms part of the prosecutor's case against him

 

 

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