Stephen Baldwin, the youngest of four brothers in show business, said Friday he’s looking forward to “clearing the wreckage of my past.”
Step 1 will be coming up with $300,000 for the tax man.
Baldwin, 46, admitted in Rockland County Court that he failed to pay New York state income taxes for 2008, 2009 and 2010. Under a plea bargain, he gets to stay out of jail — so he can make some money — and can have his record wiped clean if he pays the taxes within a year.
His total bill in taxes, interest and penalties is $400,000, but state Supreme Court Justice Charles Apotheker said $100,000 had already been paid.
Baldwin, currently appearing on “All-Star Celebrity Apprentice,” said he never intended to avoid paying taxes and got in trouble by trusting others.
“Unfortunately, I got some really bad suggestions and advice … from lawyers and accountants,” he said outside court.
Baldwin, who lives in Upper Grandview, said he believes he can meet the deadline, noting that his father was a schoolteacher who made $25,000 and raised six kids.
“I just look forward to getting the $300,000 paid in the next year,” he said.
He said he’s directing a movie starring his brother William and that other “faith-based opportunities” consistent with his principles are emerging. His lawyer said earlier this month that Baldwin would not be taking any roles like his starring turn as a professional thief with a short temper in the 1995 film “The Usual Suspects.”
If he doesn’t pay all the money within a year, the plea bargain provides for a five-year sentence of probation and repayment within that time.
Besides William, Baldwin’s brothers Daniel and Alec — the former was a star of TV’s “30 Rock” — are also actors. Asked if he was getting any help from the family, Stephen Baldwin said: “Just support as family support. … The responsibility lies ultimately with myself.”
No sentencing date was set. Another court appearance is planned in June to see how repayment is going.