'mind Of Mencia' Comic Carlos Mencia Arrested On Suspicion Of Felony Tax Evasion, L.a. County D.a. Announces

Comedian Carlos Mencia, who collapsed retired successful nan early 2000s pinch his Comedy Central bid “Mind of Mencia,” was arrested Thursday greeting successful Los Angeles connected suspicion of a twelve felony taxation evasion counts.

Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman announced nan 58-year-old comedian’s apprehension during a news convention Thursday day and said Mencia faces 12 criminal taxation evasion counts complete his nonaccomplishment to taxable his authorities taxation returns from 2019 to 2024. Hochman alleged that Mencia, who erstwhile said favorably astir paying taxes during a drama group successful nan early aughts, grounded to study a full of $8.7 cardinal successful net from individual income and firm profits from his NedLos Entertainment company. Mencia is accused of six felony counts of nonaccomplishment to record individual income taxation pinch nan intent to evade taxation and six felony counts of nonaccomplishment to record firm income taxation pinch nan intent to evade tax.

Hochman said nan comic paid his taxes earlier 2019 and that nan California Franchise Tax Board sent much than 70 request notices regarding his delinquent taxation returns. According to nan territory attorney’s office, Mencia allegedly owes much than $300,000 successful taxes to nan state.

Mencia’s lawsuit is nan first to beryllium prosecuted nether nan territory attorney’s caller Business Tax Fraud Unit. The territory attorney’s agency said earlier connected Thursday that Hochman would denote nan charges successful a news conference.

A typical for Mencia declined to remark connected Thursday. His arraignment is group for Monday.

Officials confirmed that nan Honduran comedian (born Ned Arnel Holness) was arrested astir 7 a.m. astatine his location successful Encino and is presently successful custody pinch bail group for $250,000. Hochman said that Mencia, if convicted connected each 12 counts, faces much than 10 years successful situation and will beryllium required to salary each taxes and interest. Mencia antecedently faced ineligible woes complete taxes successful 2021 erstwhile nan Internal Revenue Service alleged he and his woman owed much than $1.2 cardinal successful national taxes from 2013 to 2015.

Mencia is champion known for his Comedy Central show “Mind of Mencia,” which aired for 4 seasons from July 2005 to July 2008. The bid showcased his irreverent consciousness of humor, which often included group stereotypes of various minorities. Mencia notably faced scrutiny among nan drama circle successful nan early aughts erstwhile comic-turned-podcaster Joe Rogan publically accused Mencia astatine nan Comedy Store of ripping worldly from different comedians and himself. More than a decade aft nan scandal, Mencia said successful a 2019 question and reply that he remains patient that his worldly was his ain and revealed nan contention led him to a acheronian intelligence space.

“I wanted to rustle up my life and commencement complete again,” he said astatine nan time.

Mencia has scores of shows lined up for nan summer, including respective upcoming sets this week astatine Irvine Improv. The drama nine did not instantly respond to a telephone astir nan position of those shows.