Local Rapper 'Beanie Sigel' Sentenced for Failure to Pay Taxes

According to a release issued by U.S Department of Justice, 38-year-old Dwight Grant, of Lansdale, also known as rapper "Beanie Sigel," was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for failing to file federal income tax returns. Grant pleaded guilty to the charge on Aug. 9, 2011. He was ordered to report to prison on Sept. 12 of this year.

Grant, a former member of Dame Dash Music Group and a regular artist with Roc-A-Fella Records ran in the same circles with hip hop artist, Freeway and superstar Jay-Z. 

According to the charges, between 2003 and 2005, Grant earned over $1 million and owed approximately $348,077 in federal income taxes that he never paid.  Grant also failed to file income tax returns or pay income tax during tax years 1999 through 2002. Between 1999 and 2005, Grant earned more than $2.2 million in income and paid only $10,000 in taxes. The Internal Revenue Service estimates that Grant still owes a total of approximately $728,536 in taxes for the years 1999 through 2005.

In addition to a prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Jan E. Dubois ordered Grant to pay all taxes, penalties and interest as determined by the IRS and to fully cooperate with the agency, which, to date, Grant has reportedly failed to do.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul L. Gray.