Carlos Mencia Pleads Not Guilty to Felony Tax Charges

Comedian Carlos Mencia has entered a not guilty plea to 12 felony charges related to tax evasion accusations. These charges are based on allegations that he did not report or pay taxes on earnings exceeding $8 million. Mencia, aged 58, made his court appearance in Los Angeles County from a custody area.

During the arraignment, a judge lowered Mencia’s bail from $250,000 to $50,000. Following his arrest last Thursday, Mencia had been in custody. Court records indicate he has posted bail, though it remains unclear if he has been released yet. Attempts to get a statement from Mencia’s lawyer were not met with a response.

Mencia is facing six felony charges for failing to file personal income tax from 2019 to 2024, with the intent to evade taxes. He has six additional charges for similar corporate tax offenses. District Attorney Nathan Hochman labeled Mencia as one of California’s significant tax evaders, noting that he owes over $300,000 in state taxes from an $8.7 million income figure. If convicted on all charges, Mencia could spend more than 11 years in prison.

The charges against Mencia are the inaugural ones filed under the newly established Business Tax Fraud Unit by Hochman in May. This unit focuses on prosecuting tax-related offenses.

Mencia, originally born Ned Arnel Holness in Honduras, grew up in East Los Angeles. He began his comedy career performing stand-up in LA clubs during the late 1980s. By the 2000s, he emerged as a prominent comedian in the U.S., also engaging in film and television acting. His show, “Mind of Mencia,” aired on Comedy Central from 2005 to 2008, featuring stand-up and sketches.

Mencia continues to perform stand-up, touring clubs and smaller theaters across the country. His recent incarceration led to missing several scheduled shows in Southern California.