Comedian Carlos Mencia recently entered a not guilty plea to 12 felony charges in a Los Angeles court. The charges allege he failed to report or pay taxes on earnings exceeding $8 million. During his arraignment, Mencia appeared in a custody area and had his bail reduced from $250,000 to $50,000. Following his arrest on Thursday, he posted bail, but his current release status remains unconfirmed.

Mencia faces six felony counts for failing to file personal income tax from 2019 to 2024. Additionally, similar charges apply to corporate taxes from the same period. District Attorney Nathan Hochman described Mencia as a significant tax offender, claiming he owes over $300,000 in state taxes on $8.7 million in income. A conviction on all 12 counts could result in a prison sentence exceeding 11 years.

The Business Tax Fraud Unit, recently founded in May by Hochman, is handling this case. Mencia, originally Ned Arnel Holness, hails from Honduras and grew up in East Los Angeles. He started performing stand-up in LA clubs in the late 1980s. His popularity surged in the early 2000s, leading to acting roles in film and television. His Comedy Central series, “Mind of Mencia,” aired from 2005 to 2008 and showcased his stand-up and sketches.

Despite the charges, Mencia continues to perform stand-up shows at various clubs and theaters. However, his recent arrest caused him to miss several performances in Southern California.