Rex Reed Fined in Tax Case

ALBANY, N.Y. — Movie critic Rex Reed pleaded guilty today to attempted state tax evasion charges in a dispute he blamed on a former accountant’s advice. He was fined $2,000.

In an agreement with the state attorney general’s office, Reed already had paid about $20,000 to the state Department of Taxation and Finance to cover delinquent taxes, penalties and interest. ‘It’s ironic that this would happen on Academy Awards day,” he said outside the court, adding that he didn’t believe he would be able to get a flight to Los Angeles in time for the awards. “I’m going to miss seeing Cher’s navel,” he said.