Rap star gets jail sentence
A FORMER chart-topping rap star
known as "Fat Joe" has been sentenced to four months in prison for
failing to file federal income taxes for two years.
The platinum-selling artist, whose real name is Joseph Cartagena, apologised to his family and supporters during his sentencing on Monday in the federal court in Newark, New Jersey.
The 42-year-old pleaded guilty in December to failing to pay taxes on more than $US1 million ($A1.09 million) of income in 2007 and in 2008.
US Magistrate Cathy Waldor said she took into account for sentencing the government's allegation that Cartagena failed to pay taxes on some $US3 million in income for the years 2007 to 2010.
Federal prosecutors said the total tax loss to the government for those four years was $US718,038.
In a courtroom packed with family members and supporters, Cartagena looked fit and considerably slimmer than the size that had earned him his rap moniker.
He has been very public about his efforts to shed weight after fellow rap stars died from obesity-related issues, and has spoken to schoolchildren, in New Jersey and elsewhere about the importance of health and fitness.
Apologising to the court and his family and supporters, Cartagena spoke of growing up in a housing project in the Bronx in New York City surrounded by guns, drugs and "violence all around".
"I did everything I could to achieve what I could, to move my family; I tried to stay positive, focus on the positive, and get myself out," he said.
He spoke of how many family members he supported and how he tried to give back to his community.
"I guess I'm surprised, 'cause I worked so hard to not end up in court, that I'm here," he said.
The rapper once topped the Billboard 100 chart with hits like the duet What's Luv with the R&B singer Ashanti.
He said he had recently signed a record deal in hopes of making money to pay back his arrears.
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| Joseph Cartagena aka Fat Joe |
The platinum-selling artist, whose real name is Joseph Cartagena, apologised to his family and supporters during his sentencing on Monday in the federal court in Newark, New Jersey.
The 42-year-old pleaded guilty in December to failing to pay taxes on more than $US1 million ($A1.09 million) of income in 2007 and in 2008.
US Magistrate Cathy Waldor said she took into account for sentencing the government's allegation that Cartagena failed to pay taxes on some $US3 million in income for the years 2007 to 2010.
Federal prosecutors said the total tax loss to the government for those four years was $US718,038.
In a courtroom packed with family members and supporters, Cartagena looked fit and considerably slimmer than the size that had earned him his rap moniker.
He has been very public about his efforts to shed weight after fellow rap stars died from obesity-related issues, and has spoken to schoolchildren, in New Jersey and elsewhere about the importance of health and fitness.
Apologising to the court and his family and supporters, Cartagena spoke of growing up in a housing project in the Bronx in New York City surrounded by guns, drugs and "violence all around".
"I did everything I could to achieve what I could, to move my family; I tried to stay positive, focus on the positive, and get myself out," he said.
He spoke of how many family members he supported and how he tried to give back to his community.
"I guess I'm surprised, 'cause I worked so hard to not end up in court, that I'm here," he said.
The rapper once topped the Billboard 100 chart with hits like the duet What's Luv with the R&B singer Ashanti.
He said he had recently signed a record deal in hopes of making money to pay back his arrears.
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