DMX pleads guilty to fraud, dodging $1.7 million in taxes

NEW YORK – DMX has pleaded guilty in New York to tax fraud, admitting he concealed millions of dollars in revenues to dodge $1.7 million in taxes owed.

The rapper, also known as Earl Simmons, faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced in Manhattan federal court.

Judge Jed Rakoff set sentencing for March 29, though the date is likely to be postponed as DMX continues rehabilitation for drug and alcohol issues. The 46-year-old hip-hop artist was arrested last summer.

In a release, acting U.S. Attorney Joon Kim said DMX evaded the Internal Revenue Service by insisting to be paid in cash whenever possible and by having royalty payments diverted to the accounts of financial surrogates.

Authorities said the IRS had been pursuing DMX since at least 2005.