The small record label which acquired Death Row Records’ assets back in July has learned that Suge Knight and a long-time associate may have hidden a portion of the label’s catalog, to avoid having the items included in the sale.
According to Global Music Group’s attorney, Michael J. Collesano, a woman approached him last weekend, claiming to be the ex-girl of Knight’s associate, Carl “Butch” Small.
Collesano said Small helped run Death Row studios and was once listed as one of the label’s principals.
The woman, whose name was only revealed in court documents, said that during the course of their 18-month relationship, Small revealed to her that between 2001 and 2005, he removed a series of master recordings, videos and other property from the Pacific Coast Title Archives in California.
As a result of the move, those items were not inventoried with the assets purchased by Global Music Group.
The woman revealed many of these items to officials in Detroit, Michigan earlier this month, after she was allegedly attacked by Small on October 1.
The following day, having obtained an order of protection against Small, who she claimed tried to kill her, she was accompanied by Livingston County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Schmidt to a storage unity in Burlington, Michigan under her name.
Schmidt proceeded to confiscate several black boxes containing what appear to be certain master recordings and videos.
The woman claims that she may also have additional items in her possession, which she would like to return to their rightful owners.
“Global Music Group of Delaware has arranged financing to acquire the assets and stands ready to acquire the record label once the Trustee identifies the inventory to a certainty,” Collesano said. “We cannot see how anyone can bid on the assets with such a cloud surrounding the property being sold. In fact, on September 19, 2008, we submitted a bid that we hope the trustee will consider at this time, but our purchase will require proper due diligence.”
Collesano filed a Declaration with the Los Angeles Bankruptcy Court to investigate these new developments.
