Redratio1
01-26-2005, 12:44 PM
Rap Mogul, Drug Kingpin Surrender to Feds
6 minutes ago Entertainment - AP Music
By MICHAEL WEISSENSTEIN, Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK - The hip-hop label behind music superstars Ashanti and Ja Rule was part of a murderous criminal enterprise that protected its interstate crack and heroin operation with calculated street assassinations, federal authorities charged Wednesday.
Label head Irv "Gotti" Lorenzo and his brother Christopher surrendered to the FBI (news - web sites) on money-laundering charges Wednesday as federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment seeking to confiscate all the assets of their label, The Inc.
Their childhood friend, Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff, one of New York's most notorious drug kingpins, was charged with murder, racketeering and other crimes that prosecutors said were intended to eliminate and intimidate potential witnesses.
He already is in prison on a relatively minor gun charge.
Prosecutors believe McGriff and the Lorenzos funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug profits through The Inc., a chart-topping label owned partly by Island Def Jam, a Universal Music label. A Universal spokesman did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
Irv Gotti's lawyer, Gerald Lefcourt, said The Inc. — formerly known as Murder Inc. — is a legitimate business financed by cash from Island Def Jam.
"It's just unfortunate that this investigation has constantly been dragging (Gotti) through the mud," Lefcourt said. "Ultimately, he will be vindicated."
Recording in a studio dubbed "The Crackhouse," The Inc. has sold about 20 million records behind Ja Rule and Ashanti, who were not charged in the indictment. Ja Rule's current album, "R.U.L.E.," peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard chart, and Ashanti is now appearing in the movie "Coach Carter," which debuted atop the box office list two weeks ago.
SNIP
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=762&e=1&u=/ap/20050126/ap_en_mu/music_rap_investigation
Murder, Inc., Crackhouse Records......barf.
Anyone with their middle name in quotes should be thrown in jail.
6 minutes ago Entertainment - AP Music
By MICHAEL WEISSENSTEIN, Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK - The hip-hop label behind music superstars Ashanti and Ja Rule was part of a murderous criminal enterprise that protected its interstate crack and heroin operation with calculated street assassinations, federal authorities charged Wednesday.
Label head Irv "Gotti" Lorenzo and his brother Christopher surrendered to the FBI (news - web sites) on money-laundering charges Wednesday as federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment seeking to confiscate all the assets of their label, The Inc.
Their childhood friend, Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff, one of New York's most notorious drug kingpins, was charged with murder, racketeering and other crimes that prosecutors said were intended to eliminate and intimidate potential witnesses.
He already is in prison on a relatively minor gun charge.
Prosecutors believe McGriff and the Lorenzos funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug profits through The Inc., a chart-topping label owned partly by Island Def Jam, a Universal Music label. A Universal spokesman did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
Irv Gotti's lawyer, Gerald Lefcourt, said The Inc. — formerly known as Murder Inc. — is a legitimate business financed by cash from Island Def Jam.
"It's just unfortunate that this investigation has constantly been dragging (Gotti) through the mud," Lefcourt said. "Ultimately, he will be vindicated."
Recording in a studio dubbed "The Crackhouse," The Inc. has sold about 20 million records behind Ja Rule and Ashanti, who were not charged in the indictment. Ja Rule's current album, "R.U.L.E.," peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard chart, and Ashanti is now appearing in the movie "Coach Carter," which debuted atop the box office list two weeks ago.
SNIP
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=762&e=1&u=/ap/20050126/ap_en_mu/music_rap_investigation
Murder, Inc., Crackhouse Records......barf.
Anyone with their middle name in quotes should be thrown in jail.