The rapper Method Man pled guilty to tax evasion this week. He appeared in court, writing a check for $40,000 to repay part of the $106,000 he allegedly owes. "When he found out about the tax issue, he hired someone and immediately corrected it," defense attorney Peter Frankel said. "He took care of it quickly like the good member of our community he is." Method Man (aka Clifford Smith) didn't pay taxes from 2004 to 2007, according to prosecutors.

"In these days of massive budget shortfalls and service cuts, tax evasion is a crime against all New Yorkers," Richmond County District Attorney Daniel Donovan said. "Whether you are a celebrity or an average Joe, you will be investigated, arrested and prosecuted."


I had the pleasure of appearing with Method Man on an old ESPN Show called, 'Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith.' Stephen A. Smith is a cool dude and his show was probably just too black to stay on ESPN for very long. I truly felt that he was becoming the Oprah for black men.

I sat in the "green room" with Method Man for 30 minutes (which really isn't green). I talked to him about everything under the sun, which I can't divulge out of respect for his privacy. What I can say is that out of all the celebrity types I've met, I found Method Man to be among the most intelligent and responsive. One of the reasons that I don't have many famous friends is that many celebs become plastic and don't seem to be listening when you speak to them. I saw Method Man to be different, and I probably had one of the most enjoyable conversations I've had with any artist in a long time.

His intelligence and sensitive nature was revealed by the fact that he took responsibility for his mistakes when his tax evasion charges were revealed to the public. Also, he gave a genuine, heart-felt and justifiably angry response to the decision by Wendy Williams to reveal that his wife had breast cancer. (I have a lot of respect for Wendy Williams, who has invited me on her show six times -- treating me with respect each time -- but I was not in agreement with her decision to embarrass Method Man's family at such a sensitive time. Even if you respect someone, there are times when they must be called to the carpet.)

Believe it or not, Method Man is actually a smart and conscientious individual, contrary to the common perception of most hip hop artists. I commend him for stepping up and handling his business like a man.

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Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the new book 'Black American Money.' To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here.