Pop Star's Companies Plead Guilty To Tax Fraud

Three companies owned in part by pop singer Marc Anthony pleaded guilty to defrauding the government out of $3 million in taxes, the Manhattan district attorney's office said yesterday.

Between 2000 and 2004, Mr. Anthony failed to file his personal New York State income taxes, and between 2001 and 2004 his touring and music publication companies didn't pay or file for state corporate taxes, the district attorney's office said.

As part of plea bargain, Mr. Anthony will not be prosecuted providing he pays $2.5 million in back taxes, interest, and penalties.