LAURYN HILL: Outside court yesterday. (AP)
A federal judge yesterday postponed Lauryn Hill’s tax-evasion sentencing — but not before scolding the eight-time Grammy-winning singer for reneging on a promise to make restitution by now.
Hill, 37, pleaded guilty last year to not paying federal taxes on $1.8 million earned from 2005 to 2007.
At that time, her attorney said she would pay restitution before sentencing.
But it was revealed yesterday in Newark federal court that Hill has paid only $50,000 of a total of $554,000.
US Magistrate Judge Madeline Cox Arleo criticized her for relying on the promise of a recording contract to pay the tax bill.
“This is not someone who stands before the court penniless,” Arleo said to Hill’s attorney, Nathan Hochman. “This is a criminal matter. Actions speak louder than words, and there has been no effort here to pay these taxes.”
The reclusive singer, who has six children and lives in South Orange, NJ, didn’t speak in or outside court.
Arleo rescheduled the sentencing for May 6.
Hill — who won Grammys with the Fugees and for her solo 1999 album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” — vowed to make restitution by May 3.