Names and faces

LITTLE ROCK — Hip-hop star Method Man pleaded guilty in New York to a tax-evasion charge Monday, writing a check on the spot for the final $40,000 restitution payment after owing about $106,000. The former Wu-Tang Clan member was arrested Oct. 9 on charges he failed to pay state and personal income taxes. He pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted failure to pay tax. He was sentenced to a conditional discharge, which means the arrest will be purged from his record if he stays out of trouble. “When he found out about the tax issue he hired someone and immediately corrected it,” defense attorney Peter Frankel said. The musician, actor and artist, who lives on Staten Island and whose real name is Clifford Smith, failed to file tax returns for 2004 through 2007, prosecutors said. The most he owed for one year was $32,799. In 2007, Method Man was arrested on a minor drug charge and was ordered to visit 15 city high schools to warn students about the dangers of drugs. Method Man won a Grammy in 1995 for best rap performance by a group or duo with Mary J. Blige for “I’ll Be There For You/You’re All That I Need.” He also had a recurring role on the critically-acclaimed HBO series The Wire and wrote a self-titled graphic novel. But he’s best known as member of the Wu-Tang Clan.

Motley Crue singer Vince Neil was arrested on drunken-driving charges after getting pulled over by police in his Lamborghini near the Las Vegas Strip. The 49-year-old rocker was taken into custody about 11:15 p.m. Sunday when he was stopped in the black sports car after leaving the Las Vegas Hilton hotel, officer Bill Cassell said. Neil was released Monday after posting $2,000 bond. Attorney David Chesnoff called it “premature” Monday to respond to the charge until he and attorney Richard Schonfeld collect information about the arrest. Cassell, a Las Vegas police spokesman, said details of Neil’s arrest would not be publicly released and a police report would not be made available during the investigation. Neil is the front man for a four-member heavy-metal band known for its bad behavior, hard partying, famous girlfriends and hits like “Girls, Girls, Girls” and “Dr. Feelgood.” He said last week that he was sober and that there are “other things in life than just drugs and alcohol.” Neil and his fourth wife, Lia, live in Las Vegas.