Stephen Baldwin avoids jail after admitting tax evasion

Stephen Baldwin has avoided a jail sentence after admitting income tax evasion in Rockland County Court.

Actor Stephen Baldwin, 46, admitted failing to pay New York state income taxes for 2008, 2009 and 2010.

A plea bargain was reached to enable Stephen Baldwin’s record to be wiped clean if he pays back $300,000 within a year.

Failure to pay within that time will result in a five-year sentence of probation.

Such a sentence would require the actor to complete five years under supervision and following certain conditions.

The full repayment would be expected to be made during that probation period.

Stephen Baldwin’s total bill including taxes, interest and penalties is $400,000 but state Supreme Court Justice Charles Apotheker said $100,000 had already been paid.

The star said he never intended to avoid paying taxes and got into trouble by trusting others.

“Unfortunately, I got some really bad suggestions and advice … from lawyers and accountants,” Stephen Baldwin said outside court.

“I just look forward to getting the $300,000 paid in the next year,” he added.

Stephen Baldwin is the youngest brother of the Baldwin acting dynasty which includes Alec, William and Daniel.

Married with two daughters, Stephen Baldwin became a born-again Christian following the terror attacks on September 11, 2001.

His early career included roles in acclaimed films such as Last Exit to Brooklyn and Born on the Fourth of July.

More recently Stephen Baldwin has appeared in a number of TV reality shows including the US version of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here in 2009 and Britain’s Celebrity Big Brother in 2010.

Stephen Baldwin is currently appearing in All-Star Celebrity Apprentice and also co-hosts a US radio show with conservative pundit Kevin McCullough.