Gotti Seeks Separate Trial

Record exec Irv “Gotti” Lorenzo and his brother Christopher Lorenzo, charged in a New York racketeering case, are seeking a separate trial from co-defendant and convicted drug kingpin Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff.

Irv Lorenzo heads rap label The Inc., formerly known as Murder Inc., partly owned by The Island Def Jam Music Group, a Universal Music Group label.

Unlike the Lorenzos, McGriff and three other defendants named in the same indictment also face murder counts that make them eligible for the death penalty.

“The Lorenzo defendants seek a speedy trial at which they will be able to clear their names and their business reputations,” papers filed by the brothers’ attorneys said.

Prosecutors allege the Lorenzos and McGriff funneled drug money through The Inc., and investigators have been said to be especially interested in funding for a 2001 straight-to-video movie produced by McGriff for the label starring Snoop Dogg.

McGriff was believed to be working for childhood friend Irving Lorenzo after his release from prison after nine years on a drug conspiracy conviction. However, New York City law enforcement investigators allege he instead set about reviving his drug-dealing operation.

Witnesses have told investigators that McGriff admitted to the 2001 revenge slaying of rapper E-Money Bags in New York City. Prosecutors also believe he arranged the murder of a suspected informant one month later in Baltimore. Another man also died in that shooting.