According to the US Department of Justice, Lauryn has earned over $1.8 million during the time in which she failed to file a tax return. She’s scheduled to appear in court in New Jersey on June 29.
On Friday Lauryn issued a statement through her Tumblr account, explaining she stopped paying taxes, “…when it was necessary to withdraw from society in order to guarantee the safety and well-being of myself and my family.”
As well as being in trouble for tax evasion, the mother of six got into legal trouble last year after ViaDavia Vintage took action because Lauryn took “a wardrobe of high fashion items” they loaned to Lauryn during a 2007 tour. Former band member Jay Gore sued her for harassment. In a lawsuit it was stated that “after shows, Hill would demand the musicians and road support personnel attend meetings where she would engage in a person-by-person critique and berating.”
Lauryn hasn’t specified what she hoped to protect her family from by not filing tax returns, but added “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!”
She claims she approached the Department of Justice about finding an alternative solution but they did not respond.
Last week, Lauryn brought her children on stage to perform with her in New York city, but her sons found the experience distressing and exited the concert in tears.
