MYFOXNY.COM -
The youngest Baldwin brother, actor Stephen Baldwin, has been arrested and charged with failing to pay taxes in New York for three years, authorities announced Thursday.
Baldwin, 46, is accused of not filing personal income tax returns for 2008, 2009, and 2010, according to Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibe. He owes more than $350,000 in taxes and penalties, Zugibe said.
Baldwin, of Upper Grandview, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday, the AP said. His lawyer said Baldwin is innocent.
"Mr. Baldwin did not commit any crimes, and he's working with the district attorney's office and the New York State Tax Department to resolve any differences," said Russell Yankwitt, according to the AP. Yankwitt said he is confident the case will be resolved.
But the district attorney said Baldwin was a cheat and his alleged failure to pay taxes harmed the county's schools.
"At a time when Rockland County and New York State face severe fiscal shortfalls, we cannot afford to allow wealthy residents to break the law by cheating on their taxes," Zugibe said in a statement. "The defendant's repetitive failure to file returns and pay taxes over a period of several years contributes to the sweeping cutbacks and closures in local government and in our schools."
Authorities charged Baldwin with repeated failure to file personal income tax returns, a class-E felony. He was arraigned in Nyack Justice Court, released on his own recognizance, and ordered back in court in February 2013, the D.A.'s office said.
If convicted, he could face up to four years in state prison, officials said.
Baldwin owed $1.2 million on two mortgages, $1 million in taxes and $70,000 on credit cards in 2009, according to a bankruptcy filing, the AP reported.
Baldwin has starred in several movies, most notably "The Usual Suspects," but hasn't been seen on screen much lately. The Long Island native grew up Catholic, became a born-again Christian, has supported conservative causes and candidates, and co-hosts a conservative radio show, putting at odds with his famously liberal brother, Alec, the star of "30 Rock."
Stephen Baldwin, 46, of Upper Grandview, N.Y., was charged with repeated failure to file personal income tax returns. (Rockland County District Attorney photo)
