Stephen Baldwin Pleads Guilty to Tax Charge, to Make Full Restitution

Actor and Rockland County resident Stephen Baldwin will stay out of jail by making full payment of back personal income taxes and penalties, according to Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe.

Baldwin, 46, of Upper Grandview, today pleaded guilty to one count of Repeated Failure to File Personal Income Tax Returns, a class “E” Felony. Baldwin was accused of failing to file New York State Personal Income Tax Returns for 2008, 2009 and 2010.

In total, Zugibe said Baldwin's tax liability to the State of New York, including penalties and interest, was more than $350,000.

“This defendant withheld taxes that he was legally obligated to pay as a New York State resident," Zugibe said. "Individuals who attempt to steal from the public are stealing from the pockets of every New Yorker. Regardless of social status or income level, my office is committed to pursuing criminals who purposefully cheat the government and law-abiding taxpayers.”

Zugibe said Baldwin has already repaid $100,000 in actual restitution to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. As part of the plea agreement, Baldwin has agreed to pay an additional $300,000 in restitution by the time of his sentencing in Rockland County Court in New City on July 19.

Upon making full restitution, Baldwin will be sentenced to a conditional discharge. If Baldwin fails to make full restitution by sentencing, he will receive five years’ probation and the outstanding payments will be monitored by the New York State Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives.

Baldwin’s arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Rockland County Special Investigations Unit and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. The New York State Tax Department offers programs such as the Voluntary Disclosure and Compliance Program to encourage delinquent taxpayers to become compliant without facing criminal prosecution or civil penalty.

Supervising Senior Assistant District Attorney Anthony Dellicarri prosecuted the case.