Comedian Carlos Mencia appeared in a California courtroom earlier this week to plead not guilty to felony charges stemming from more than $8 million in alleged unpaid taxes, shortly after his attorneys blasted authorities over “an absurd show of force” in the 12-count fraud case.
Mencia entered the plea from behind glass in a Los Angeles County courtroom custody area during his arraignment Monday, according to FOX 5.
The 58-year-old comic is charged with six felony counts of failure to file personal income tax with the intent to evade taxes and six similar counts for corporate taxes between the years of 2019 to 2024, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Fox News Digital.
In a sharply worded motion seeking Mencia’s release on his own recognizance or a reduction in bail, the comedian’s attorneys criticized authorities’ apparent heavy-handed approach in prosecuting the case.
COMEDIAN CARLOS MENCIA HIT WITH 12 FELONY COUNTS IN ALLEGED MASSIVE TAX DODGE
“No one argues against the obligation to pay taxes,” according to the motion obtained by The California Post. “But the raid at his home with multiple law enforcement agents, screaming ‘search warrant’ with a bullhorn, and drawing guns was an absurd show of force for the alleged offenses that do not involve weapons, drugs or violence.”
Mencia’s attorney, Dana Cole, reportedly disputed prosecutors’ decision to keep Mencia behind bars on a hold that prevents defendants from posting bail if authorities have reason to believe the funds were obtained through illegal means.
The attorney contended the hold was inappropriate because the case centers on alleged failures to report and pay taxes, not on claims that Mencia earned his money through unlawful activity, according to the Post.
Following his arraignment, Mencia’s bail was lowered from $250,000 to $50,000.
Court documents reportedly indicate Mencia posted bail, but it is unclear whether he has been released from custody.
Mencia’s attorney also reportedly argued her client’s incarceration was inhibiting his ability to continue earning income, noting he had missed four nights of scheduled performances — resulting in nearly $40,000 in lost profits — since he was taken into custody.
“The defendant has now already paid a steep price by damaging his national reputation, incarcerating him for several days without the opportunity to post bail and missing out on four nights of a booked venue where he could have earned up to $40,000 that he would have willingly paid to the Franchise Tax Board to start to pay back any taxes owed,” the filing stated, according to the Post.
Mencia was arrested at his Encino home last week on charges alleging he failed to pay or report taxes on more than $8.7 million in earnings from both personal and corporate income. Authorities said Mencia owed more than $300,000 in state taxes over the course of six years.
“In total, the amount of corporate and personal income that he has failed to report over the six years from 2019 through 2024, as alleged in the charges, is $8.7 million,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.
Hochman previously revealed the case is the first major prosecution brought from his office’s newly formed Business Tax Fraud Unit, which was created in May 2026 to investigate individuals and businesses accused of criminal tax violations.
Prosecutors said the California Franchise Tax Board mailed a total of 78 notices to Mencia’s residence informing him of his “obligation to file tax returns and advising him that no returns had been received,” according to a press release.
“Yet, he was 0 for 78,” Hochman said, FOX 5 reported.
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The district attorney reportedly added that his office is only targeting businesses and individuals suspected of intentionally evading state tax laws.
“We’re going to go after that unfair advantage by bringing criminal prosecutions against people who violate our state tax laws,” Hochman continued.
Mencia — born Ned Arnel Holness in Honduras — rose to fame in the 1980s after he began performing stand-up in clubs throughout Los Angeles.
He appeared in his own TV series, “Mind of Mencia,” on Comedy Central from 2005 and 2008.
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In a letter submitted to the court arguing Mencia is not a flight risk, producer Nicole “Nikki” Rosenson reportedly argued he often provided up-and-coming comics with opportunities to bolster their budding careers.
“It’s important to me that Carlos’ character is not reduced to a singular thing. He is a loving father and a loyal, kind friend,” Rosenson wrote, according to the California Post.
If convicted, Mencia faces the possibility of up to 11 years and four months in state prison.
Fox News Digital reached out to Mencia’s attorney and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for comment.