Rule, born Jeffrey Atkins, is currently serving out a two-year term on a weapons charge, and will likely now spend several more months behind bars than previously expected, due to his inability to handle his finances. Though Atkins had previously denied being in financial trouble, the former Murder Inc. rapper conceded that he had failed to pay taxes on more than $3 million in earnings between 2004-2006.
"I in no way attempted to deceive the government or do anything illegal," Atkins reportedly told the New Jersey federal court, just before receiving his sentence. "I was a young man who made a lot of money -- I'm getting a little choked up -- I didn't know how to deal with these finances, and I didn't have people to guide me, so I made mistakes."
The court ruled that the majority of his 28-month federal sentence may be served concurrently with his current bid, however, due to the length of his federal sentence, he will likely now be required to serve four to 12 months months longer at the Oneida Correctional Facility in upstate New York, where he is currently housed.
"Taxpayers do not have the luxury of deciding whether to comply with the laws," U.S. Magistrate Patty Shwartz admonished, as she handed down the sentence. Atkins will additionally be required to pay $1.1 million in unpaid taxes.
Due to his extensive legal problems, Ja Rule's promised albums 'Pain is Love 2' and 'Renaissance Project' have been repeatedly delayed, and have yet to receive a confirmed release date.
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