A warrant has been ordered for the arrest of the head of Shocking Vibes Entertainment, Patrick Roberts.
Roberts was scheduled to appear before the Tax Court on tax evasion charges yesterday, after it was alleged that he owed the Government millions of dollars in unpaid taxes.
Roberts, a businessman and music producer, ran unsuccessfully as a candidate for the People's National Party against the Jamaica Labour Party's Andrew Holness in the 2007 general elections for the West Central St Andrew seat. He is currently the constituency caretaker.
As head of the Shocking Vibes Crew, Roberts was one of the main persons behind the careers of artistes such as Beenie Man, Tanto Metro and Devonte. Beenie Man also appeared in court last year for similar tax-evasion charges. However, the $48-million tax-evasion case against the deejay was dismissed in court, on the grounds that the notice of assessment was flawed.
The Tax Department could still try to pursue the case against Beenie Man, but would first need to do another assessment, issue the notice of assessment, then inform Beenie Man of his legal rights.
Source: Jamaican Star