FBI investigating hip-hop artists
Rapper WILLIE D has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of wire fraud for allegedly running a scam selling iPhones.
The Geto Boys member, real name William James Dennis, was arrested at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas on 13 May (09), after returning from an overseas trip.
He faces 20 years behind bars for conning money out of buyers interested in purchasing iPhones and other electronic gadgets via auction website eBay.com through a company named Texas One Wireless. The scheme is alleged to have started last September (08).
The 42 year old was indicted on 15 counts of wire fraud by a federal grand jury in a Texas court last month (Jun09) and was freed on bond until his trial began.
According to court papers, he entered a not guilty plea against all charges at his arraignment in June (09).
Dennis will reappear in court on 27 July (09) for a pre-trail hearing, in which jurors will be selected.
Most hip-hop artist are known to have a “hustle” outside of music that is often more lucrative than selling music albums. Recently, FBI and IRS agents have taken a closer look at rapper’s additional income streams that may have resulted from fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion.
Willie D may be the first of many to be indicted.
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