WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� The Chicago rapper known as Twista has pleaded guilty to five counts of willfully failing to pay his income taxes and faces up to five years in prison.
The division, the crime-fighting arm of the IRS, says Twista, whose legal name is Carl Mitchell, failed to pay income tax from 2019 to 2023 and owes more than $440,000 in back taxes.
Last week, Mitchell pleaded guilty to five counts of willfully failing to pay income tax. He is scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 22.
Best known for his 2004 album 鈥橩amikaze,鈥� Mitchell has collaborated with musicians including Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, and Jamie Foxx on the song 鈥淪low Jamz.” He has received two Grammy nominations.
His income stemmed from performances, album sales, streaming and royalties, according to IRS-CI.
Despite warnings from both the IRS and his own accountants of his tax debts, 鈥渋nstead, Mitchell entered into agreements with a third-party company to pay him advances on future royalties, knowing that the IRS would not be able to levy these funds,鈥� the IRS said in a statement.
Mitchell also has unpaid tax liabilities dating back to 2011, and the government alleges Mitchell made large purchases to support his lifestyle, including buying at least four luxury vehicles.
Representatives for Mitchell did not immediately respond to an Associated Press request for comment.
鈥淚RS Criminal Investigation doesn鈥檛 care how famous you are or what you鈥檝e accomplished,鈥� Adam Jobes, with IRS-CI’s Chicago field office, said in a statement. “If you willfully refuse to pay your taxes, we鈥檒l follow the money and bring you to justice.鈥�
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