Drake’s Former Manager Sentenced to Eight Months in Prison for Tax Evasion

A supposed oversight is landing Drake's former manager in prison.

According to an April 9 report from the New York Daily News, Derrick Lawrence was sentenced to eight months in prison after pleading guilty to not filing personal tax returns from 2009 to 2011. Lawrence, a co-founder of Aspire Music Group, will also have to pay back $600,000 he owes the federal government.

“It was never a disrespect to the government. It was a lack of knowledge,” Lawrence said. While the returns have now been filed, Lawrence added, "It's my fault for not following up with my accountants who I hired."

During the time Lawrence did not file taxes, he reportedly made $2.2 million. But according to his lawyer, Stacey Richman, he's good for the money because he's always able to find work. Richman insists that Lawrence is a hardworking and respected figure in the industry.

Aspire Music Group has been in the news for money issues before. In April 2017, Jas Prince hit Birdman with a lawsuit alleging the Cash Money Records co-founder failed to pay one-third of Drizzy's profits, which are owed to Prince and Aspire.

The lawsuit claims Birdman and Drake inked a new deal in 2013 that breached the rapper's contract with Prince. As a result of the alleged breach, Prince was not receiving the money he was owed.

In related news, the "Nice for What" rapper recently saw "God's Plan" become his longest leading Billboard Hot 100 hit. On Monday (April 9), the song secured the No. 1 spot on the chart for its 11th consecutive week.

See Photos of Drake's Different Looks Over the Years