Lauryn Hill Puts Off Prison, Signs Million-Dollar Deal with Sony

Lauryn Hill was scheduled to be sentenced for tax evasion today, but her case has been delayed for two weeks. She appeared in a Newark courtroom, where it was revealed that she has signed a lucrative deal with Sony.

The former Fugees frontwoman is facing prison after pleading guilty to not paying federal taxes on $1.8 million earned between 2005 and 2007. She appeared before a federal judge, who postponed her sentencing to May 6 and scolded the Grammy winner for not making progress on the debt.

“This is not someone who stands before the court penniless,” U.S. Magistrate Judge Madeline Cox Arleo told Hill’s attorney, Nathan Hochman. “This is a criminal matter. Actions speak louder than words, and there has been no effort here to pay these taxes.”

According to TMZ, Hill’s attorney revealed that the singer recently signed a million-dollar recording contract with her former label Sony and was planning to take out a $650,000 loan to pay off the $968,000 tax bill.

“I fully expect that by May 3 Ms. Hill will be able to pay back all the restitution she has,” Hochman told the judge.

Hill faces several years in prison, but her attorney is seeking probation for the mother of six.