New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner Jamie Woodward and Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan Jr. jointly announced that Clifford Smith, 38, of Green Valley Road on Staten Island, an entertainer known as "Method Man," was arrested on felony charges that he failed to file New York State Income Tax Returns for the years 2004 through 2007 and failed to pay $32,799 in personal income tax for that same period, not including additional accrued interest and penalties.

He faces up to four years in prison if convicted of the charges.

Acting Commissioner Jamie Woodward said, "Our taxes help support education, health care, transportation services and other important government programs. Those who willfully avoid paying their income taxes hurt honest citizens who play by the rules and must now make up the difference. State taxpayers can rest assured that the Tax Department is committed to seeing that the tax laws are equitably and impartially enforced and that all taxpayers, especially those who can most afford to do so, pay their fair share.”

For more information about this case, http://rcda.nyc.gov/pdfdocs/Press/2009/pr10052009.pdf