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Ja Rule Turns Himself In As Tearful Family Looks On

Posted on June 8, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Rule accompanied by relatives in Manhattan courtroom before being led away to start two-year sentence. By Gil Kaufman, with reporting by Rahman Dukes Ja Rule arrives at court on Wednesday Photo: MTV News Ja Rule appeared in a Manhattan courtroom on Wednesday (June 8) afternoon and turned himself in to begin his two-year prison sentence on weapons possession charges. Wearing a gray sweat suit, sunglasses and a somber look on his face, the 35-year-old MC (born Jeffrey Atkins) stood before a magistrate on the 13th floor of the criminal courts building in lower Manhattan and listened as he was formally sentenced to two years in prison in the wake of his guilty plea in December to attempted criminal possession of a weapon. He was accompanied by his wife, associate Ron Robinson, lawyer Stacey Richman and various other family members as the sentence was read. Moments after he was cuffed and led out of the courtroom, Rule shouted, “See y’all” to his family in the back of the courtroom. “We love you,” they called back, as some burst into tears and Rule replied, “I love y’all too,” before being escorted to detention. Rule will spend up to two weeks at New York’s Rikers Island jail before being transferred to a different correctional facility upstate. Rule’s lawyer said she expected that with good behavior, the MC could be out in 18 to 20 months. The rapper is being jailed in connection with an arrest in July 2007 in which the Manhattan district attorney’s office claimed police found a loaded semi-automatic .40-caliber Taurus handgun, with the serial number scratched off, hidden in the backseat of the MC’s Maybach. The arrest took place on the same night that Lil Wayne was arrested on a gun charge, which sent the “Lollipop” rapper to jail for eight months last year. (Rule had been among the featured special guests at a New York concert headlined by Wayne.) Last month, Ja Rule sat with Sway on “RapFix Live” and expressed regret over his pending jail sentence. According to Rule, he feels as if he has let his wife and kids down. “I’m disappointed,” the multiplatinum rapper said. “I’m mad at myself.” Rule spoke specifically about his 15-year-old daughter, Brittany, but expressed concern about his two sons as well. “My daughter, she’s 15 right now,” Rule explained. “These are her last couple of years. She’s about to graduate from high school and she’s going to college. She needs her father. My boys really need me right now, too, as well as my wife. They need Daddy, and Daddy f—ed up.” Related Artists Ja Rule

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Ja Rule Pleads Guilty To Tax Evasion

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Rapper, who is headed to jail on a weapons charge, admitted that he failed to pay taxes on $4 million in income. By Gil Kaufman Ja Rule Photo: Mark Mainz/Getty Images Queens rapper Ja Rule pleaded guilty to tax evasion in federal court in New Jersey on Tuesday, admitting that he had failed to pay taxes on more than $4 million in income. According to the Associated Press , the platinum-selling MC (born Jeffrey Atkins) earned the money between 2004 and 2006 while he lived in an upscale northern New Jersey enclave. The plea deal included an agreement by prosecutors to dismiss two counts of unpaid taxes on income earned in 2007 and 2008. Rule, 35, will be sentenced on the three remaining tax evasion charges in June and faces up to one year in prison and $100,000 in fines on each count. Ja Rule pleaded guilty to attempted gun possession in December, stemming from a July 2007 arrest, but his prison sentencing was delayed earlier this month so he could get his finances in order. Lil Wayne, who Ja Rule performed with on that July night at the Cash Money star’s Beacon Theater show, was arrested on the same night and eventually served eight months in prison for the same offense. Rule is now slated to be sentenced on June 8 and has agreed to a two-year prison term in that case. At the time of the sentencing postponement, Rule’s lawyer said the delay would allow her client to resolve his tax issue and maybe work on his next musical project as well. “We want to finish the album, and there’s also a tax issue,” lawyer Stacey Richman said. “Somebody, an accountant, had filed an incorrect form, and this is to correct what was done in the past.” Related Artists Ja Rule

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Ja Rule Pleads Guilty To Tax Evasion

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Rapper, who is headed to jail on a weapons charge, admitted that he failed to pay taxes on $4 million in income. By Gil Kaufman Ja Rule Photo: Mark Mainz/Getty Images Queens rapper Ja Rule pleaded guilty to tax evasion in federal court in New Jersey on Tuesday, admitting that he had failed to pay taxes on more than $4 million in income. According to the Associated Press , the platinum-selling MC (born Jeffrey Atkins) earned the money between 2004 and 2006 while he lived in an upscale northern New Jersey enclave. The plea deal included an agreement by prosecutors to dismiss two counts of unpaid taxes on income earned in 2007 and 2008. Rule, 35, will be sentenced on the three remaining tax evasion charges in June and faces up to one year in prison and $100,000 in fines on each count. Ja Rule pleaded guilty to attempted gun possession in December, stemming from a July 2007 arrest, but his prison sentencing was delayed earlier this month so he could get his finances in order. Lil Wayne, who Ja Rule performed with on that July night at the Cash Money star’s Beacon Theater show, was arrested on the same night and eventually served eight months in prison for the same offense. Rule is now slated to be sentenced on June 8 and has agreed to a two-year prison term in that case. At the time of the sentencing postponement, Rule’s lawyer said the delay would allow her client to resolve his tax issue and maybe work on his next musical project as well. “We want to finish the album, and there’s also a tax issue,” lawyer Stacey Richman said. “Somebody, an accountant, had filed an incorrect form, and this is to correct what was done in the past.” Related Artists Ja Rule

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Ja Rule Won’t Go To Prison Until June

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Inc. rapper granted furlough to finish album and settle tax issue. By Jayson Rodriguez Ja Rule Photo: MTV News Ja Rule’s teeth are just fine, but the rapper’s finances aren’t in order, and as a result he’s been extended a reprieve in his prison sentencing until June 8. The Queens lyricist pleaded guilty to attempted gun possession in December , stemming from a July 2007 arrest. Lil Wayne, who Ja Rule performed with that night at the Cash Money star’s Beacon Theater show, also was arrested that night and eventually served eight months in prison for the same offense. Wayne’s sentence was postponed a number of times, including once for the rapper to undergo dental work. According to the New York Post , a judge delayed Ja Rule’s sentencing Wednesday morning (March 9) so the rapper could settle a federal tax issue. The Inc. rapper also will use the time to finish his next project, his attorney said. The furlough was issued by the judge against the prosecution’s wishes, the Post also reported. “We want to finish the album, and there’s also a tax issue,” his lawyer, Stacey Richman, said. “Somebody, an accountant, had filed an incorrect form, and this is to correct what was done in the past.” The case originated just over three years ago, when Ja Rule joined Lil Wayne at his first headlining gig in New York City. After the concert, both rappers’ vehicles were pulled over by the New York Police Department in separate instances. Both were subsequently charged with illegal possession of a firearm; Lil Wayne also was brought up on drug charges. Related Artists Ja Rule

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Lindsay Lohan’s Fingernail Message In Court: Legal Experts Weigh In

Posted on July 7, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Lawyers don’t think it impacted her sentence but was immature and bad form. By Gil Kaufman Lindsay Lohan at her court hearing on July 6 Photo: David McNew/ Getty Images As if further proof was needed, Lindsay Lohan cemented her bad-girl status Tuesday during a probation violation hearing by writing the message “f— u” on her fingernail . But did the profane memo on the nail of her middle finger land the formerly promising actress a harsher sentence? Legal experts contacted by MTV News don’t think so but all agreed that, at best, it was bad form, and at worst, it was another example of a young Hollywood starlet who appears to be out of control and not seriously considering the repercussions of her actions. New York attorney Benjamin Brafman — who defended Diddy in his 2001 Club New York gun case, New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress in his 2008 gun case and was on the defense team for the 2004 Michael Jackson child-molestation trail — said sometimes celebrities are their own worst enemies in court. “If this happened the way it did, the lawyer needs to take charge,” he said. Brafman, who is not involved in the Lohan case and has no firsthand knowledge of what happened in court Tuesday, added that Lohan doesn’t seem to be doing herself any favors with these kinds of outbursts. “I don’t think that influenced [the sentence] … and [it should have] no role in the proceedings, but it’s bad form, childish and at some point, you need to grow up about stuff like this,” he said. “When you’re in a position of begging for your freedom, you don’t need to do anything to antagonize the judge who has that power over you.” Lohan, 24, was sentenced to 90 days in jail to be followed by 90 days in rehab after judge Marsha Revel determined that the “Mean Girls” star had violated her probation from a 2007 DUI case by missing weekly alcohol-education classes . Closeups of photos taken by The Associated Press revealed that Lohan had the message “f— u” imprinted on the rainbow-airbrushed nail of her middle finger, which she frequently pressed to her lips and cheek during Tuesday’s hearing. At press time, it was unclear if Lohan entered the courtroom with the profane nail tat or if she scribbled it on during the course of the nearly daylong hearing. “She’s like anybody else and she has the right of free speech,” said attorney Stacey Richman, who defended rapper Lil Wayne in a New York gun case that sent the MC to prison for a year but does not have firsthand knowledge of the Lohan case. “But you should have respect for the forum. It’s unclear who it was meant for, but the judge is a logical person and not vindictive. So whatever the judge’s decisions are, they should have to do with the violations [not the message on the nail].” If it comes out that it was meant as a coded message to the judge, Richman said there could be sanctions. “But if someone let her do that, they should know better,” she said. Lohan’s attorney did not return requests for comment at press time. Related Photos Lindsay Lohan Goes To Court The Highs And Lows Of Lindsay Lohan

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Lil Wayne Sentenced To A Year In Prison

Posted on March 8, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

After multiple sentencing delays, the rapper turns himself in to begin his jail term. By Jayson Rodriguez Lil Wayne (file) Photo: Louis Lanzano/ Getty Images NEW YORK — Lil Wayne turned himself in to authorities Monday (March 8) after multiple sentencing delays for a July 2007 gun-possession charge. A near riot broke out in front of the Manhattan Criminal Court Building when the superstar MC entered, escorted by police and his Cash Money crew. Photographers aggressively angled to capture the last images of the rapper before he was formally sentenced to one year in prison. Dressed in black jeans, a black shirt and a gray jacket, Lil Wayne made his way in, before Judge Charles H. Solomon sentenced the rapper. The New Orleans native sat next to his lawyer, Stacey Richman, without addressing the court. After Solomon reminded Wayne of his charges, the rapper firmly nodded that he understood. Police then handcuffed Lil Wayne and he stood up to be taken away. He paused momentarily before leaving and nodded to Cash Money execs Birdman and Slim, who were present in the courtroom. Just like that, Wayne was gone. The rapper reached a deal with prosecutors in November to plead out to a lesser deal, and in return, he is expected to be released from prison as early as October. In 2007, Lil Wayne was arrested for attempted gun possession following his first headlining performance in Manhattan at the Beacon Theatre. New York is among the toughest states in the country when it comes to gun-possession laws. In other states, Lil Wayne could have gotten off with a misdemeanor rap and probation. However, in New York, only law-enforcement officials and those affiliated with authorities are permitted to carry firearms. Related Videos Lil Wayne’s ‘Road To Rikers’ Lil Wayne Goes To Jail Related Photos Lil Wayne Heads To Rikers Island Related Artists Lil Wayne

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Lil Wayne Finally Set To Be Sentenced, Begin Jail Term Today

Posted on March 8, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Dental surgery and a courthouse fire postponed Weezy’s previous sentencing dates. By Jayson Rodriguez Lil Wayne Photo: Thaddeus After a delay at his request due to dental surgery , a postponement Tuesday because of a courthouse fire and then rescheduling his court date Wednesday, Lil Wayne is set to finally be sentenced and begin his one-year prison term stemming from a 2007 gun arrest on Monday (March 8). The rapper was set to be sentenced last month, but Wayne’s attorney requested a delay so the rapper could undergo eight root canals . Judge Charles H. Solomon agreed to the last-minute request and rescheduled the proceedings for Tuesday. Then, just hours before he was set to appear before Judge Charles H. Solomon on Tuesday, a fire broke out at the Manhattan Criminal Court Building. At the first sign of smoke, the building was evacuated and all appearances were postponed. Lil Wayne’s attorney, Stacey Richman, confirmed to MTV News that her client’s case had temporarily been postponed as a result of the fire. The next day, Weezy’s court date was once again rescheduled. Wayne is now set to appear before Solomon on Monday afternoon and plead guilty to attempted gun possession. He’s then expected to turn himself in immediately to begin his prison term. Lil Wayne has spent his unexpected free time partying in NYC, traveling back to his Miami home and, of course, recording. The rapper reached a deal with prosecutors in November to plead out to a lesser deal, and in return, he is expected to be released from prison as early as October. In 2007, Lil Wayne was arrested for attempted gun possession following his first headlining performance in Manhattan at the Beacon Theatre. New York is among the toughest states in the country when it comes to gun-possession laws. In other states, Lil Wayne could have gotten off with a misdemeanor rap and probation. However, in New York, only law-enforcement officials and those affiliated with authorities are permitted to carry firearms. Ultimately, what Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to amounts to him being able to have access to a gun. Police did not find a weapon on the rapper when his tour bus was searched. Rather, the gun — registered to his manager — was in a bag located near the rapper, hence the “attempted” charge. Lil Wayne has been working feverishly in recent weeks to complete a number of videos and songs to stay relevant during his physical absence. That pace he’s gotten accustomed to, however, will come to a screeching halt, according to a New York corrections officer who spoke to MTV News. “He’ll be housed with inmates who are classified in his category, and he’ll be able to be a regular inmate,” the guard said. “He’ll be able to watch television, go into the day room and congregate with people of his classification. “He’ll have no preferable treatment at all. He’ll be treated like a regular inmate,” the guard, who declined to be identified due to the classified information he discussed, added. Lil Wayne is still facing charges in Arizona , and that trial is set to begin March 30. Related Videos Lil Wayne’s ‘Road To Rikers’

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Lil Wayne Sentencing: Denied By Courthouse Fire!

Posted on March 2, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

If Lil Wayne thinks arson is the way to delay his prison term, he’s probably wasting his efforts. You’re gonna have to do the time at some point, dawg! Just kidding. He had nothing to do with it, but you have to admit, it’s pretty funny that Lil Wayne’s trip to prison has been delayed a second time now. All thanks to a fire in the courthouse where he was to appear for sentencing Tuesday. February 9, the rapper got a reprieve because of … dental work . That was weird enough. Today, he was inbound on a plane from Miami to New York when a smoky basement fire shut the courthouse down for a day. It took an hour to control the fire, and five firefighters, two civilians and a prisoner were hurt. No word on which of Weezy’s henchmen lit the blaze. Kidding again. Lil Wayne is going to jail. One of these days. Having been convicted on a weapons charge and facing prison time , whenever it happens, Lil Wayne had posted a farewell of sorts Monday on Twitter: “yesterday i smiled,today i smirked tomorrow i stop…………………….thanks for your thoughts and prayers,they’re needed.” Also needed? Punctuation. The rapper’s been hella busy in the weeks leading up to what’s expected to be a year in jail, shooting nine videos in a 48-hour stretch at one point. Lil Wayne’s attorney, Stacey Richman, says he’s actually upset about the delay: “Once you make up your mind to do something, you want to do it.” He also applied that philosophy to Nivea Hamilton… and Lauren London . This prison term is really gonna slow down his rate of knocking up skanks.

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