Comedian Carlos Mencia Charged With Tax Evasion After Failing to Report $8.7 Million in Income

Comedian Carlos Mencia was charged with tax evasion and failing to report $8.7 million in income on Thursday. Mencia was arrested and remains in custody. The felony state tax evasion charges were announced by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman, marking the first case filed by the DA’s newly established Business Tax Fraud Unit. The charges stem from Mencia's alleged failure to report income earned between 2016 and 2022. This includes income from his stand-up comedy performances, television appearances, and other business ventures during that seven-year period. The Business Tax Fraud Unit was created in September 2023 to address tax fraud cases impacting Los Angeles County businesses and individuals. The unit aims to recover unpaid taxes and ensure compliance with tax laws. Mencia's case is expected to proceed through the Los Angeles Superior Court system.