Comedian Carlos Mencia Charged With 12 Felony Tax Counts in California

Comedian Carlos Mencia was arrested Thursday at his home in Encino, California, and charged with 12 felony counts of failure to file personal and corporate income tax returns with intent to evade tax. Prosecutors alleged he failed to report $8.7 million in income over a six-year period.

Six of the charges relate to $3.3 million in personal income, while the remaining six pertain to $5.4 million in corporate income tied to his company, Nedlos Entertainment, Inc.

The alleged failure to file covered tax years 2019 through 2024, resulting in more than $300,000 in unpaid state taxes. The California Franchise Tax Board sent Mencia 78 demand notices to his residence during the six-year period, informing him of his obligation to file returns.

County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said Thursday that the prosecution signals a broader shift in enforcement posture. “Today we are sending a message to the tax scofflaws that it is no longer business as usual in Los Angeles County,” he said.

Mencia’s arraignment is scheduled for June 22 in Department 100 of the Van Nuys Courthouse. He remained in custody as of Thursday evening.

Background Mencia, whose legal name is Ned Arnel Holness, rose to prominence through his stand-up comedy career and as host of the Comedy Central series “Mind of Mencia,” which ran from 2005 to 2008. The CBS News Los Angeles report noted that Mencia had previously faced federal tax issues, with the IRS filing liens in 2021 against three properties he owned in Georgia over more than $1 million in unpaid federal income taxes.