Lauryn Hill Issues Statement Addressing IRS Allegations

Lauryn Hill issued a statement late yesterday addressing the news surrounding her tax evasion charges.

While she acknowledges her actions were uncalled for, she stated she was trying to rectify this situation for years.

"My intention has always been to get this situation rectified. When I was working consistently without being affected by the interferences mentioned above, I filed and paid my taxes. This only stopped when it was necessary to withdraw from society, in order to guarantee the safety and well-being of myself and my family."

The Grammy-Award winning singer also suggests the authorities knew about her situation, but proceeded to pursue the case against her anyway.

“I conveyed all of this when questioned as to why I did not file taxes during this time period. Obviously, the danger I faced was not accepted as reasonable grounds for deferring my tax payments, as authorities, who despite being told all of this, still chose to pursue action against me, as opposed to finding an alternative solution.”

Lauryn’s reasoning for deferring her tax payments was due to her decision to remove herself and her family from the spotlight for protection as well as from an industry she felt was non-conducive to her growth as an artist.

“For the past several years, I have remained what others would consider underground. I did this in order to build a community of people, like-minded in their desire for freedom and the right to pursue their goals and lives without being manipulated and controlled by a media protected military industrial complex with a completely different agenda.”

Check out the full statement over at her official Tumblr account.