The “Mind of Mencia” star allegedly failed to report his income from 2019 to 2024.

Comedian Carlos Mencia arrested on 12 tax-related felony charges in Los Angeles

The "Mind of Mencia" star allegedly failed to report his income from 2019 to 2024.

By Derek Lawrence

Derek Lawrence

Derek Lawrence is a former associate editor at **. He left EW in 2022.

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June 18, 2026 7:19 p.m. ET

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Carlos Mencia in 2015. Credit:

Steve Snowden/Getty

- Carlos Mencia was arrested on Thursday morning.

- The comedian has been charged with 12 felony counts of tax evasion.

- The Los Angeles District Attorney called Mencia "one of California's biggest tax scofflaws."

Comedian Carlos Mencia has been arrested for being "one of California's biggest tax scofflaws."

The *Mind of Mencia* creator and star was taken into custody on Thursday morning at his home in Encino, Calif. In an afternoon press conference, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced that Mencia was charged with 12 felony counts relating to an alleged failure to file personal and business taxes.

When reached by **, Mencia's representation opted not to comment.

Mencia, whose real name is Ned Arnel Holness, allegedly did not report $8.7 million worth of income between 2019 and 2024. He allegedly was sent 78 notices from the California Franchise Tax Board about his unfiled returns.

Carlos Mencia performing in 2025.

Michael S. Schwartz/Getty

"That translates into over $300,000 of state tax, and we're not even dealing with whatever federal tax obligations he may have also not complied with," Hochman shared during the press conference. "He is on the California Franchise Tax Board's list of the 500 greatest tax delinquents in both personal and corporate income categories."

If convicted, Mencia could face over a decade in prison, while also being required to pay back taxes and interest, which would double the amount owed, according to Hochman.

"Mr. Mencia has an income most people can only dream of, and like everyone else he is required to file his personal and corporate tax returns and pay his fair share," Hochman said in a subsequent statement. "Failing to report millions of dollars in income is a slap in the face to hardworking Californians who diligently file and pay their taxes every year because they care about their communities and the public goods, like police, fire, roads, and utilities, their tax dollars provide. Today we are sending a message to the tax scofflaws that it is no longer business as usual in Los Angeles County – the days of a free pass for failing to file returns and pay taxes are over."

This is the first case filed by the DA office's newly established Business Tax Fraud Unit.

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Mencia worked his way up the comedy scene in the '90s, and he eventually broke into television with appearances on *Moesha*, *The Bernie Mac Show*, and *The Shield*. But his most notable work came with the Comedy Central series *Mind of Mencia*, which aired for four seasons between 2005 and 2008.

But, as Mencia's popularity grew, he earned a reputation for stealing jokes. George Lopez and Joe Rogan are among those to accuse Mencia of ripping off their material, with Rogan and Mencia even once getting into a public confrontation over the matter. Comedy Central's *South Park* later parodied Mencia's reputation for taking credit for jokes that weren't his.

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