Comedian Carlos Mencia was arrested Wednesday morning in Los Angeles after prosecutors charged him with multiple felony counts related to alleged tax evasion, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced June 18 that Mencia, 58, faces 12 felony counts of failure to file tax returns. The charges include six counts tied to his personal income taxes and six related to his business entity, NedLos Entertainment.
Charges
Prosecutors allege Mencia failed to report approximately $8.7 million in income between 2019 and 2024. Of that amount, about $3.3 million is tied to his personal income, while $5.4 million allegedly flowed through his production company.
According to Hochman, the unreported income resulted in more than $300,000 in unpaid California state taxes. With penalties and interest, that amount could nearly double.
The California Franchise Tax Board reportedly sent Mencia 78 notices over a six-year period regarding his failure to file tax returns. Hochman said Mencia did not respond to any of those notices.
As a result, prosecutors said Mencia was placed on the Franchise Tax Board’s list of the top 500 tax delinquencies for both personal and corporate income categories.
Arrest
Mencia was arrested around 7:05 a.m. June 18 at his home in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles. Authorities said he remained in custody at the time of the press conference and was assigned bail set at $250,000.
His arraignment is scheduled for Monday, June 22.
Potential Penalties
If convicted on all counts, Mencia could face nearly 12 years in state prison. He could also be ordered to repay the unpaid taxes along with accrued interest and penalties.
Hochman said the case marks the first prosecution handled by the district attorney’s newly established Business Tax Fraud Unit.
Federal Status
The district attorney noted that the charges announced Wednesday apply only to alleged violations of California tax law. They do not include any potential federal tax violations.
Hochman said his office has not received confirmation from the Internal Revenue Service regarding whether federal authorities are pursuing a separate case.
Mencia, best known for hosting the Comedy Central series “Mind of Mencia,” has not publicly commented on the charges as of Thursday.
FAQs
What charges does Carlos Mencia face?
He faces 12 felony counts for failure to file tax returns.
How much income was allegedly unreported?
Prosecutors say about $8.7 million between 2019 and 2024.
When was Mencia arrested?
He was arrested June 18 at his Los Angeles home.
What is his bail amount?
Bail was set at $250,000.
Are federal charges involved?
No federal charges have been announced.
