DAILY MUSIC NEWS WRAP-UP: Mos Def, Chris Gotti, Trillville, and more!
By Ivory M. Jones
Posted February 15, 2006--
MOS DEF CHILD SUPPORT CASE
Rapper-turned-actor Mos Def has come under criticism for having trouble making his court-ordered child support payments. The rapper, born Dante Smith, is undergoing divorce proceedings from his wife Maria Yepes-Smith, with whom he has two daughters.
While the New York Post reports that Smith was ordered to make monthly payments of $10,000 each month to Yepes-Smith, the article does state that Mos has actually been making the payments. The problem, however, is that the payments have been $2,000 short for the past two months, since the order went into effect January 1.
In his defense, Mos maintained during a hearing in Brooklyn Supreme Court that he is trying his best to make the payments, however cash flow problems and obligations to his three other children are making it difficult. The rapper’s lawyer, Steven Goldfeder, insists that his client is making every attempt to meet his obligations. Mos also expressed that his estranged wife had failed to abide by their agreement to homeschool their children.
However, Yepes-Smith’s lawyer, Karen Blaustein, expressed skepticism regarding Smith’s excuse. “I’ve been seeing him in these commercials with Bruce Willis for his new movie. I’m sure he’s made enough money to support his 7- and 8-year-old daughters,” she told the Post, referring to Smith’s upcoming film, 16 Blocks.
CHRIS GOTTI WANTS HIS MONEY BACK
Although Chris and Irv Gotti were acquitted of money laundering back in December, their legal troubles seem to be far from over. Chris, one half of brother duo that heads up The Inc., is crying foul over $35,000 that was reportedly confiscated from his offices during a January 2003 raid as part of the federal investigation.
According to Chris’s lawyer, Gerald Shargel, the money was never returned to his clients, even following his acquittal. In fact, Shargel maintains that the Internal Revenue Service deposited the money into a government bank account, where it’s been sitting ever since. In hopes of speeding up the return process, Shargel recently filed a letter with Brooklyn federal Judge Edward Korman.
The Brooklyn U.S. Attorney’s Office declined comment.
TRILLVILLE’S DON P. DENIES RAPE ALLEGATIONS, BAIL SET
Trillville’s Don P. is denying the rape allegations that sent him to jail January 30. A judge in Georgia’s Dekalb County has set bail for $75,000.
As earlier reported, Don P., born Donnell Prince, was arrested for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl at a party in Lithonia, Georgia in December. Though the rapper admits to watching the girl strip at the party, he maintains his innocence.
The bond’s conditions stipulate that he may not contact the girl or leave the country prior to his next court date, which has yet to be set.
IN OTHER LEGAL NEWS…
Trouble seems to be following a lot of rappers these days, especially in Las Vegas.
Local police allege that on February 1, Amir Crump, better known as rapper Trajik, shot and killed a police officer before being gunned down during the ensuing shootout.
Sgt. Henry Prendes and Crump were both killed when cops responded to a domestic call at a home on Las Vegas’s infamous Strip.
The 21-year-old Crump was one half of the rap duo Desert Mobb. The group released their debut album, L.Y.T. C.Y.T.I., in 2005. A press release on the group’s Myspace page sends condolences to both families, while urging the media not to perpetuate stereotypes.
The Las Vegas police conducted a six-month investigation last summer of the local rap scene following a string of murders; all the victims were rappers.
In an unrelated case, Bay Area police are searching for local rapper Mac Minister, whose real name is Andre Dow, in connection to the murders of Kansas City rapper Fat Tone and Jermaine “Cowboy” Akins.
Fat Tone, born Anthony Watkins, and Akins were found shot to death at a Las Vegas construction site in May 2005. Their murders are believed to be retaliation for the 2004 murder of Bay Area rapper Mac Dre. Dre was killed in a drive-by shooting in Kansas City; Watkins was once considered a person of interest.
During the investigation, Watkins’ mother revealed that Dow had promised her son and Akins that he would introduce them to rapper Snoop Dogg.
Dow’s friend, Jason Mathis, is currently in police custody for his role in the murders. A white Pontiac Sunfire, which was owned by Mathis’s girlfriend, was seen leaving the scene of the murder. Mathis’s girlfriend was found dead six months later.
Mathis is currently awaiting trial in Las Vegas.