Comedian Carlos Mencia is open about his tax issues, discussing them candidly with the California Post as he navigates a major lawsuit. “All I did was not pay my taxes,” he said outside a Los Angeles courthouse on Tuesday, where he’s facing 12 felony charges linked to over $8 million in tax evasion.
Mencia described the experience as shocking, mentioning the comparisons to notorious figures like Al Capone. “I didn’t scam anyone, I didn’t take cash. I never hid anything; it will all come to light eventually,” he commented.
Sporting a University of Oregon jacket and a “Super Funny” T-shirt, Mencia was with his attorney, Dana Cole. They argued that comedians should have the option to sell their Los Angeles properties to cover over $300,000 in owed taxes.
Cole also requested that Mencia’s Citibank account be unfrozen so he could afford ongoing living and legal expenses as he contends with numerous accusations involving $8.7 million in unpaid taxes.
Judge Alicia Blanco granted permission for Mencia to list his Encino mansion, valued at more than $4.5 million, and authorized him to withdraw up to $100,000 from his account.
Mencia was notably the first individual arrested under the newly created Business Tax Fraud Unit, initiated by U.S. Attorney Nathan Hochman. Allegations state that he failed to pay taxes from 2019 to 2024, and the California Franchise Tax Board claims to have sent him 78 demand letters.
Authorities conducted a search of Mencia’s home, seizing boxes and electronic equipment in relation to the tax evasion probe.
During the hearing, Mencia requested his cellphone and computer be returned, with Cole emphasizing his need for those items. They discovered that Mencia had $150,000 in assets in escrow in Oregon, and both he and his wife had their licenses suspended by the Franchise Tax Board.
Interestingly, prior to the hearing, Mencia was watching a World Cup match in the courtroom and remarked that it didn’t really matter who won, since Mexico and the U.S. weren’t playing.
Despite the situation, Mencia has two shows in Las Vegas this week, suggesting he could use the experience in his stand-up routines. “I was waiting for a bill from the Franchise Tax Board, and it arrived in a way I didn’t expect,” he reflected.
He is set to return to court on August 14th.
