The blunt truth is weed-loving rapper Method Man may go to jail because he “forgot” to pay his taxes.
Wu-Tang Clan founding member Method Man, real name Clifford Smith, was hauled into Staten Island Criminal Court yesterday to answer charges that he failed to file his state income taxes from 2004 through 2007 for a total debt of $32,799.
The Grammy-winning rap artist, actor and producer blamed his tax issues on his chronic marijuana use in the past.
“Because I got high, I forgot to pay. It was stupid,” Smith, 37, told reporters in March.
Smith faces a felony charge for failing to file his taxes, a rap that could land him four years in the slammer.
“I can assure you that he doesn’t have a pot-smoking problem,” said lawyer Peter Frankel.
“The people who were responsible for making certain that his affairs were in order failed him.”
Smith pleaded not guilty and is due back in court Dec. 7.
In August, Smith paid $52,503 to settle an outstanding tax warrant from 2002. But he still owes $21,457 to the Philadelphia law firm Fox Rothchild, records show.