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Stephen Baldwin Arrested For Tax Evasion In New York

Stephen Baldwin was arrested and charged on Thursday for tax evasion in New York according to US Weekly.

The 46-year-old actor was charged with failing to file personal income tax returns for 2008, 2009, and 2010. He reportedly owes New York State more than $350,000.

"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," Rockland Country District Attorney Thomas Zugibe said. "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."

According US Weekly Baldwin pled not guilty to the charges and was freed without bail. He's due back in court on Feb. 5 and could face up to four years in prison if convicted. But his lawyer, Russell Yankwitt, says he's 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," Yankwitt said.

Baldwin was embroiled case earlier in the year. In October, he pled guilty to an unlicensed driving charge in Manhattan, for which he paid a $75 fine. In July, he lost a $17 million lawsuit against Kevin Costner after claiming that the actor had cheated him out of money in a deal for oil-cleaning machines after the 2010 BP Gulf of Mexico spill.

Brother Alec Baldwin had tangled with a stalker earlier in the year who was reportedly harassing the star and his wife.

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