[CrimsonTide4]

Mystikal Rape Case To Be Settled Soon, Lawyer Predicts
Mystikal is close to settling with the hairstylist who accused him of raping her in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in July. The rapper's lawyer, J. David Bourland, would not go into detail on Thursday (January 23), but he said the matter is being resolved in a way that satisfies both parties. "We're not making any admission of guilt," Bourland said. "Sometimes you just have to swallow a bitter pill in order to move on with your life and your career." MTV News was unable to reach lawyers for the 40-year-old woman, whose name was not released.

Mystikal, whose real name is Michael Tyler, was arrested on July 18 after his hairstylist told police he had forced her to have sex with him, allegedly threatening to turn her in for cashing unauthorized checks from his bank account if she refused. During a search of the rapper's home, authorities confiscated a video of the alleged sexual assaults, which also involved two other men, Leland Ellis and Vercy Carter. According to the arrest warrant, the tape shows all three men having sex with the woman. Detectives were originally presented an affidavit signed by the victim stating that the intercourse was consensual, though the woman later said she was tricked into signing it and still wished to pursue the case.

Mystikal was also arrested for extortion, though he has not yet been indicted on either charge. Bourland said the court has delayed formally pressing charges in order to give the two parties time to settle the issue, which he said would happen in "the very near future."

Mystikal was released on $250,000 bond and was later granted permission to leave the court's jurisdiction to record his next album. If convicted on the rape charge, he would face a mandatory life sentence. Extortion carries a prison term of one to 15 years. Tarantula, the rapper's 2001 album, is nominated for the Best Rap Album Grammy, while the single "Bouncin' Back (Bumpin' Me Against the Wall)" will compete for Best Male Rap Solo Performance.

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Irv Gotti Speaks About Probe (The last line made me laugh a lot, I'm sure you will too)
Murder Inc. founder and chief executive Irv Gotti said he and his hit-making record company have done nothing wrong, even as federal investigators probe his links to the convicted head of a Jamaica-based drug gang.

"They are investigating me because I have friends," said Gotti, who broke his silence about the investigation as Murder Inc. artists Ashanti and Ja Rule prepared to perform at halftime of yesterday's NFC Championship game. "If you're from the 'hood, then you're gonna have friends."

Federal officials began investigating Murder Inc. because of Gotti's connection to Kenneth McGriff, the convicted head of the Supreme Team drug gang.

McGriff was given a production and writing credit on Murder Inc.'s first film, "Crime Partners 2000," a drama starring Ja Rule. The film, loosely based on McGriff's life, has never been released.

Last week, the Los Angeles Times reported that federal investigators seized a number of bank accounts connected to McGriff, including one from Picture Perfect Entertainment that contained nearly $500,000 advanced by Murder Inc., money that the company said was for distribution rights to a soundtrack.

Industry insiders say federal investigators are looking for a link between McGriff and the money Gotti used to launch Murder Inc. in 1999. Earlier this month, investigators raided Murder Inc.'s Manhattan offices and seized computers and financial documents relating to the company's start.

However, industry sources say it is no secret how Gotti, a Hollis native whose real name is Irving Lorenzo, got the money to launch his company.

In 1999, Island Def Jam, the Manhattan-based subsidiary of Vivendi Universal, gave Gotti $3 million to start Murder Inc. based on his strong performance and his success at wooing rapper Jay-Z to Island Def Jam. At the time, Gotti was a mid-level talent executive at Def Jam.

Island Def Jam has been so pleased with the partnership - thanks to a stellar 2002 that featured multiplatinum hits from Ashanti and Ja Rule - that it paid Gotti an additional $4 million last year to turn Murder Inc. into a formal joint venture.

While the investigation is on Gotti's mind, he appears to be taking it in stride.

Backstage at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, where Fox was taping its "NFL Saturday Night" special, Gotti spent most of his time joking around and napping in Ashanti's dressing room.

He beamed with pride at the rousing reception that greeted him after Ashanti and Ja Rule performed. After the show, "NFL Saturday Night" hosts Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long posed for photos with Gotti and the Murder Inc. crew. Bradshaw and Long flashed the three-finger Murder Inc. salute.

"That is such a good look for me," Gotti said, smiling. "I need copies of that picture in triplicate. One for me, one for the NYPD and one for the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

"Why investigate us?" Gotti said, as the cheers continued. "We're America's favorite family."