Bay Area rapper Kafani is denying reports he’s the ringleader of a multi-million dollar wire fraud ring. On Friday (February 21), The Mercury News reported Kafani stands accused by federal prosecutors of running a scheme that allegedly stole millions from several victims across the state of California.
But Kafani begs to differ. On Sunday (February 23), the paralyzed MC sat in his wheelchair and proclaimed his innocence via Instagram, noting it’s an ex-girlfriend who has put this all into motion.
“You can’t believe what the news is talking about,” he said. “There’s a lot of false allegations in that news shit. I’m just letting everybody know, you’re innocent until proven guilty. You feel me? But the end of the day, all that they was talking about, it take 12 to prove that. Whatever they talkin’ about, all that shit is lies from my ex making up stories and sending emails to my P.O. and all that stupid shit … sending tips to the FBI.”
Kafani added in the caption, “You innocent till proven guilty! I just want to have my day in court! Thank you to all my family and supporters who continue to support me. I like to thank courts for giving me a 250,000 bail to be able to give me a fair chance to fight my case. Watch them snakes.”
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Ini 2013, the 39-year-old artist was shot several times while filming a video in East Oakland. As a result, he was paralyzed from the waist down. Miraculously, he made a swift recovery with the help of one of the Bay Area’s first robotic exoskeletons and started training to run marathons.
“Just being able to take those first few steps was groundbreaking,” Rashad told an Oakland Tribune reporter in 2014. “It felt like I had my life back. I was able to stand; I could look people in the eye. I don’t want anybody to feel sorry for me. I’m still making my music. You have to be grateful for what you have. Any time, things can change.”
The FBI also named co-defendants Susan Arreola-Martin, Christopher Pool and Tyrone Jones in the fraudulent loan scam.
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“In each of the instances being investigated, an unknown subject or subjects stole personal identifying information from the victim, used that information to open a bank account in the victim’s name, and established an email account using the victim’s name,” FBI Special Agent Armando Delgado-Campos wrote in the complaint. “The subjects would then use the victim’s identity to obtain a refinance loan, using the victim’s property as collateral.”
Seven victims have reportedly come forward.
Court records state Kafani had his first court appearance last week. He was released after posting $250,000 bail.
