The future of The Inc. hangs in the balance, as the racketeering trial of Irv Gotti and his brother Christopher begins in Brooklyn, New York, this morning. Prosecutors are confident that they can prove how millions of dollars in drug money have been laundered through and used to finance the label formerly known as Murder, Inc.
The trial of Irving and Christopher Lorenzo was scheduled to start yesterday, but was delayed for the third time after the defense requested more time to prepare for a key witness in the federal prosecution’s case: Donnell Nichols, a former Inc. employee, who claims to have handled large amounts of cash for the brothers.
The Lorenzo’s are alleged to have used money from childhood friend and convicted drug kingpin, Kenneth ‘Supreme’ McGriff, to launch the Murder, Inc. record label in 1999 – a label which promoted itself as ”the most dangerous record company.”
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The prosecution believes that by doing this, Chris and Irv agreed to launder McGriff’s money in exchange for street credibility.
Prosecutors are hoping to use an alleged “confession” from Chris Lorenzo, 38, to the Drug Enforcements Administration in 2003. The older brother is quoted as saying that McGriff was granted a “free soundtrack” for Crime Partners, a straight-to-video movie that McGriff produced.
Chris is said to have commented that the soundtrack to the movie alone was worth $1 million, which, according to the Feds, is an ‘inadvertent confession’ of money laundering.
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“Before Irving Lorenzo became powerful and rich, Supreme was looking out for him,” saidAssistant U.S. Attorney Sean Haran last week. “That’s what [McGriff] brings to the table. [If] Irv and Chris have an enemy, Supreme will get the job done.”
The trial begins today at a federal court in Brooklyn, and if convicted, Irv and Chris Lorenzo could face up to 20 years behind bars. They may also be ordered to forfeit the millions of dollars made from The Inc’s key artists, Ashanti and Ja Rule.
The Lorenzo brothers are free on $1 million bail, and Ja Rule, Ashanti and Jay-Z are all expected to turn up in court today in support of the partners.
