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Rapper DMX is in hot water after being hit with fraud charges stemming from his involvement in what is believed to be a “multi-year” tax evasion scheme, reports People.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York the rapper, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was arrested on Thursday for reportedly avoiding paying $1.7 million in taxes, writes the outlet. Simmons, 46, has pleaded not guilty to the 14 counts brought against him which include tax evasion charges.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim told People that Simmons garnered millions from his hit songs, concerts, and television appearances throughout the years. “While raking in millions from his songs, including his 2003 hit ‘X Gon’ Give it to Ya,’ DMX didn’t give any of it to the IRS. Far from it, DMX allegedly went out of his way to evade taxes, including by avoiding personal bank accounts, setting up accounts in other’s names and paying personal expenses largely in cash,” he said in a statement.

The outlet reports that Simmons apparently didn’t file taxes between the years of 2010 and 2015, and had his royalties distributed through the bank accounts of other individuals to avoid paying taxes.

He’s slated to be released on $500,000 bail.

Simmons has been fighting an ongoing battle with drug addiction. Last year, he reportedly suffered an overdose at a Yonkers hotel.

SOURCE: People

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