Attorneys for The
Inc.’s Irving and Christopher Lorenzo rested their defense of the brothers
today (Nov. 29) after only two hours in a federal money laundering probe of the
Hip-Hop label.
Irv and Christopher Lorenzo are facing up to 20 years in prison
over claims they helped launder millions in drug proceeds for Queens, New York
drug dealer Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff.
McGriff, convicted head of notorious drug dealing crew The Supreme
Team, is facing the death penalty in a March 2006 trial on murder and racketeering
charges, including the murder of rapper Eric “E Money Bags” Smith.
Today the brothers’ defense team of Gerald Lefcourt and
Gerald Shargel presented one witness, former IRS Agent and Forensic Accountant
John Ryan.
Ryan testified about Chris’ gambling pattern and stated
that Chris’ gambling addiction lead him to withdraw over $850,000 between
Jan. 2000 and Dec. 2002.
Shargel explained that most of the withdrawals came from ATM’s
inside of such casinos as Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Mashantucket, Connecticut.
On cross-examination by Prosecutor Carolyn Pokorny, Ryan admitted
he only reviewed documents assigned to him and admitted that he uncovered hundreds
of third-party checks that totaled around $100,000, deposited into Chris’
account.
The prosecution also showed Gotti declared $110,000 in taxable
income in 2000, but withdrew over $153,000 from ATM machines the same year.
Tomorrow, both sides will give their closing arguments and sources
stated the courthouse, which has been relatively empty the past few days, is
going to be a packed one.
Today, Ashanti,
Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles attended the court proceedings.
