The Source Magazine co-owner Raymond "Benzino" Scott has recently been charged with failing to file tax returns in 1999 and 2000 despite reportedly earning a combined $1.5 million over the two years.
"There was an extensive investigation into this matter," said FBI spokeswoman Gail Marcinkiewicz. "We took a sweeping look at this individual. We were aware of the allegations of murder and everything else. This is what we came up with."
The spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office in Massachusetts, which is bringing the charges against Benzino, would not comment. Zino, originally of Boston, now resides in New York and Florida. The rapper's Florida lawyer, Leonard Sands stated that his client is innocent and misunderstood.
"He's very likable, very versatile, very outgoing," Sands told The Boston Herald. "He's a very down-to-earth, soft-spoken guy."
However, public records show that Benzino sold a house in New Jersey for $2 million.
The mogul pleaded not guilty to deliberately not filing tax returns before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Marianne B. Bowler in Boston and was set free on $10,000 unsecured bond. Marcinkiewicz wouldn't comment on whether Benzino's tax evasion charges were part of a larger probe by U.S. Department of Justice into the Hip-Hop industry.
Meanwhile, a source at the FBI revealed to The Herald that the probe on Scott was also looking into alleged gang ties he built while co-founding The Almighty RSO, a rap collective that has been of interest, yet was not charged in the 1994 murder of Roxbury bouncer Michael Adams.
In addition to tax charges, Benzino is facing a civil suit from The Source's principal lender, Textron Financial. The two parties return to court on December 6 for their suit's next hearing.
Benzino is also facing a federal suit from former female employees accusing the mogul of gender discrimination and sexual harassment under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regulations.
Several key employees at the magazine have also departed for a host of different reasons. Employees in the editorial, art and advertising departments have all left in recent months.
Some of Benzino's close associates have also been in legal trouble in the last few years. SourceEntertainment GM Leroy "Bum" Peeples is presently awaiting trial on attempted murder charges after allegedly shooting up a Manhattan, NY night club and hitting three bystanders. Back in 2002, Benzino bodyguard Trevor Watson was convicted of stabbing Boston Celtics all-star Paul Pierce during a fight in a night club.
Despite all the legal trouble, Benzino still feels he's doing some good. In his Arch Nemesis DVD, the mogul claims to be responsible for ending Boston gang wars and questions whether heads perceive him as "Monster or hip-hop savior? You be the judge."
Source: SOHH.com
"There was an extensive investigation into this matter," said FBI spokeswoman Gail Marcinkiewicz. "We took a sweeping look at this individual. We were aware of the allegations of murder and everything else. This is what we came up with."
The spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office in Massachusetts, which is bringing the charges against Benzino, would not comment. Zino, originally of Boston, now resides in New York and Florida. The rapper's Florida lawyer, Leonard Sands stated that his client is innocent and misunderstood.
"He's very likable, very versatile, very outgoing," Sands told The Boston Herald. "He's a very down-to-earth, soft-spoken guy."
However, public records show that Benzino sold a house in New Jersey for $2 million.
The mogul pleaded not guilty to deliberately not filing tax returns before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Marianne B. Bowler in Boston and was set free on $10,000 unsecured bond. Marcinkiewicz wouldn't comment on whether Benzino's tax evasion charges were part of a larger probe by U.S. Department of Justice into the Hip-Hop industry.
Meanwhile, a source at the FBI revealed to The Herald that the probe on Scott was also looking into alleged gang ties he built while co-founding The Almighty RSO, a rap collective that has been of interest, yet was not charged in the 1994 murder of Roxbury bouncer Michael Adams.
In addition to tax charges, Benzino is facing a civil suit from The Source's principal lender, Textron Financial. The two parties return to court on December 6 for their suit's next hearing.
Benzino is also facing a federal suit from former female employees accusing the mogul of gender discrimination and sexual harassment under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regulations.
Several key employees at the magazine have also departed for a host of different reasons. Employees in the editorial, art and advertising departments have all left in recent months.
Some of Benzino's close associates have also been in legal trouble in the last few years. SourceEntertainment GM Leroy "Bum" Peeples is presently awaiting trial on attempted murder charges after allegedly shooting up a Manhattan, NY night club and hitting three bystanders. Back in 2002, Benzino bodyguard Trevor Watson was convicted of stabbing Boston Celtics all-star Paul Pierce during a fight in a night club.
Despite all the legal trouble, Benzino still feels he's doing some good. In his Arch Nemesis DVD, the mogul claims to be responsible for ending Boston gang wars and questions whether heads perceive him as "Monster or hip-hop savior? You be the judge."
Source: SOHH.com
