Rap moguls Irv and Chris Gotti pleaded not guilty last week to charges of laundering more than $1 million in drug proceeds through their record label, the Inc. (formerly Murder Inc.). The brothers, who surrendered to authorities, were released after a $1 million bond was posted for each.
The convicted drug lord they are alleged to be in partnership with, Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff, and several of his associates face the death penalty for homicide. The brothers’ next court date is scheduled for March 18.
“I want to make it very crystal clear that I don’t look [badly] at the government in any way, shape or form for them thinking I’m doing anything wrong,” said Irv Gotti after the hearing. “I made my label Murder Inc., I grew up poor, from the street. But I don’t look bad at them for thinking ill things of me. In no way have I done anything wrong except make great music that people seem to love. That’s all I’m guilty of.”
At a press conference, U.S. Attorney Roslynn Mauskopf noted that none of the artists on the Inc., whose roster includes Ja Rule and Ashanti, were “implicated or affiliated” in the alleged crimes.
The assets of McGriff’s companies, Picture Perfect Films and Picture Perfect Enterprises, have been seized; their combined worth is approximately $425,000. Authorities are seeking to seize the assets of the Inc. and the affiliated IG Records as well.
The Gotti brothers face up to 20 years in prison.
