Baton Rouge federal authorities are seeking a civil judgment against Michael Tyler of Prairieville—also known as the rapper Mystikal—whom they say owes $2.9 million in back taxes, penalties and interest over an 11-year period dating back to 1997.
The three-time Grammy nominee has a history of tax issues: U.S. District Judge James Brady of Baton Rouge sentenced him in 2006 to serve a year in prison for tax evasion at the same time he served a state sentence for sexual battery against his hair stylist. He was released from prison in 2010.
In that case, Tyler pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of failing to file tax returns on $824,916 he earned in 1998 and $930,953 in 1999. Brady ordered him to pay back taxes and penalties in addition to the one-year sentence.
The new civil complaint filed against him asks U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick to enter a judgment against Tyler for $2.9 million, plus any interest and fines that may accrue until the balance is paid.
Tyler could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon.
—Penny Font
