Comedian Carlos Mencia is facing 12 tax-related criminal charges that could land him behind bars for more than a decade, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office.
Prosecutors allege Mencia failed to report $8.7 million in income and owes more than $300,000 in unpaid state taxes. The charges include six counts related to his personal tax returns and six connected to his business tax returns, District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced at a press conference.
If convicted on all counts, Mencia could face over 10 years in prison plus penalties and interest. He was arrested at his Encino home around 7 AM, with bail set at $250,000. He is expected to be arraigned on Monday.
Hochman stated that state officials attempted to contact Mencia nearly 80 times between 2019 and 2024 regarding the unpaid taxes, but the comedian never responded.
This case marks the first prosecution by Los Angeles' newly created tax fraud unit.