STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) — Clifford Smith, better known as rapper “Method Man,” pleaded guilty to misdemeanor state tax evasion charges, prosecutors said on Monday.

Smith, 39, of the platinum-selling rap group Wu-Tang Clan, surrendered himself to the NYPD Detective Squad of the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office in October 2009, after failing to pay $32,799.00 in personal income tax for the years 2004 through 2007, not including additional accrued interest and penalties.

Smith was sentenced to a conditional discharge and has made total payments of approximately $106,000 to the New York State Commissioner of Tax and Finance to satisfy all taxes owed by him to New York State, as well as interest and penalties.

“Failure to pay your taxes is not a victimless crime. In these days of massive budget shortfalls and service cuts, tax evasion is a crime against all New Yorkers. Whether you are a celebrity or an Average Joe, you will be investigated, arrested and prosecuted,” Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. said.

“My office will continue to work with our partners in government to root-out those who refuse to play by the rules and by doing so victimize their friends, neighbors and fellow citizens,” Donovan added.