Brooklyn rap veteran Lil Kim is making weekend headlines with reports claiming she owes over a million dollars in taxes dating back to the early 2000’s.
According to reports, the Queen Bee’s money woes range from 2002 to 2009.
The rapper’s financial woes appear to have taken a turn for the worse amid allegations she was racked up more than $1 million in unpaid taxes. The Lady Marmalade hitmaker, real name Kimberly Jones, has been hit with a new $8,6348 tax demand from U.S. authorities. The bill takes Jones’ total debt owed from 2002 to 2009 up to $1,026,862. It was previously reported that the hip-hop star owes thousands in unpaid taxes to three different states, California, New York and New Jersey. (Fox 40)
In light of the news, Kim’s publicist has stepped forward to defend her image.
“It is a known fact that for some time TMZ has been running stories on celebrities or well known persons of interest and providing the general public and media with publicly accessible information on random celebrities and their private matters with the internal revenue service, this [sic] does not come as a surprise, as it is Tax Season and is a sell-able media opportunity,it is for no other reason that Kimberly Jones (a/k/a: LIL’ KIM) is now the target of such random media scrutiny. As it pertains to the story that was ran on TMZ(February 4,2012)regarding Lil’ Kim, we would like to inform fans,media, and the general public, that LIL’ KIM has hired professional attorneys to handle this matter(embellished by all standards via the media), and that she,along with her team of legal experts are working cooperatively and diligently with the I.R.S and federal authorities to amicably resolve the situation.” (Statement)
Three years ago, reports showed Kim owing just under $1 million to the government.
The state of New York filed a $12,599 tax warrant on April 26, 2008, in the New York County Clerk’s office. The IRS filed a $50,464 lien on Sept. 5, 2007, in the Bergen (N.J.) County Clerk’s office. The IRS filed a $67,509 lien on May 14, 2007, in Bergen County. The state of California filed a $4,089 lien on Sept. 16, 2005, in Sacramento County Court. The IRS filed a $232,348 lien on Aug. 16, 2005, in New Jersey. The state of New Jersey filed a $51,471 lien on Aug. 11, 2005, in New Jersey State Superior Court. The state of New Jersey filed a $77,939 lien on Dec. 9, 2004, in New Jersey Superior Court. The IRS filed a $482,671 lien on Feb. 19, 2004, in New Jersey. (Detroit News)
Despite being featured on reality television shows and releasing an album in 2005, Kim still experienced finanical troubles in recent years.
Last year, the repo man seized her Bentley after missing four payments. Kim did not dispute the tax debts. “Lil’ Kim is paying her tax debt and will continue to do so,” spokeswoman Lisa Perkins said. She did not explain, despite repeated requests, what led to the tax liens being filed. (TMZ)
Outside of legal woes, Kim was recently spotted with boxing champ Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and rap star 50 Cent.
Lil’ Kim was the only female in the crew while kicking it with 50 Cent and the Money Team. The fellas, including boxing champ Floyd Mayweather, Jr., enjoyed some down time over the Christmas vacation. Earlier in the week, the Queen Bee hit the studio with her “Magic Stick” collaborator to record some new material. It’s unknown where their latest work will end up, but Kim is expected to drop her EP any day now and announce a new record deal at the top of the year. Over the summer, Kim declared her loyalty to 50 and G-Unit while sharing the stage with G-Unit South signee Shawty Lo at Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash 16 in Atlanta. (Rap-Up)
