DMX Pleads Not Guilty To Evading $1.7M In Federal Taxes

Rapper DMX pleaded not guilty Friday to dodging $1.7 million in federal income taxes.

The 46-year-old rapper, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was busted Thursday in a 14-count indictment accusing him of ducking the tax man to conceal $2.3 million in earnings from 2010 to 2015.

DMX pulled off the scheme by maintaining a cash lifestyle, avoiding personal bank accounts and setting up ones in the names of his business managers to pay personal expenses, prosecutors said.

The gravelly voiced rapper was so intent on evading the IRS that he refused to tape a segment for the reality show “Couples Therapy” until he was issued a check for $125,000 that didn’t withhold taxes, the indictment says.

DMX’s lawyer Murray Richman defended the “X Gon' Give It Ya” artist at his arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court.

Richman said DMX’s finances were largely controlled by others.

“To say that he schemed to defraud the government is absurd,” the lawyer added.

If convicted of the most serious charge, he faces up to 44 years in prison.

DMX rocketed into fame in 1998 after releasing the platinum-selling album “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot,” featuring the hit track “Ruff Ryders Anthem.”

The Mount Vernon-born musician went on to release a total of six albums. He’s been nominated for three Grammy Awards and has appeared in more than 15 films.

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