Donald Trump Compared To John Gotti, Prosecutor Claims Former POTUS Nearly Faced RICO Charges

Donald Trump has been busy preparing for his third presidential run. At the same time, former Manhattan prosecutor Mark Pomerantz is gearing up to spill plenty of tea about the New York native in his new book. The forthcoming project – People vs. Donald Trump – will specifically focus on the 76-year-old’s alleged corrupt practices in business.

Both the New York Times and The Daily Beast are publishing excerpts. In them, the author reflects on his tumultuous time investigating Trump. Pomerantz’s colleagues allegedly dug into all of his businesses. Among them were his real estate empire, for-profit university, and the family’s charitable foundation. Based upon his findings, the legal expert could think of only one other person to compare The Apprentice alum to.

An FBI mug shot of mafia Don John Gotti, released on December 11, 1990 in New York City, New York. (Photo by Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

“In my career as a lawyer, I had encountered only one other person who touched all of these bases: John Gotti, the head of the Gambino organized crime family,” the book’s preview reads. Due to Trump’s incessant history of lying, the DA’s office would’ve had to “show, and stress, that [the former POTUS] was not legally insane.” Employees spoke about whether or not the businessman can decipher between “bullshit and reality” anymore.

“Was Donald Trump suffering from some sort of mental condition that made it impossible for him to distinguish between fact and fiction?” Pomerantz says he asked his colleagues. The writer explains that the Florida-based politician “demanded absolute loyalty and would go after anyone who crossed him.”

Additionally, the Truth Social founder feels as though his book’s subject was “always one step ahead of the law.” The mention of Gotti was apparently met with outrage from Trump’s lawyers. Attorney Joe Tacopina is threatening legal action on his client’s behalf if the book goes public.

Former US President Donald Trump speaks at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, on November 15, 2022. – (Photo by ALON SKUY / AFP) (Photo by ALON SKUY/AFP via Getty Images)

“Injecting the name John Gotti into this seems like just another desperate attempt by Pomerantz to sell books,” he previously told the Times. As Daily Mail notes, the upcoming release will focus on Trump’s allegations. However, the primary story is about the author’s journey to build a case against the then-president. It was ultimately never pursued during his time in the DA’s office.

Ultimately, Pomerantz resigned from his position in protest last year. At the time, Manhattan’s current DA, Alvin Bragg, opted out of seeking an indictment against the reality star. Prior to that, the prosecutor was seeking racketeering charges for Trump. This was because pursuing money laundering came with clear risks. Unfortunately for him, his coworkers became “unenthusiastic” about the project – just one of the reasons it wasn’t complete.

It seems as though legal troubles are coming at Trump from every angle these days. Reports recently began circulating that the embattled politician has had a grand jury probe launched regarding his previous affair with Stormy Daniels. Ahead of the 2016 election, he allegedly paid the adult actress to keep quiet about their time spent together.

If things go in the Manhattan District Attorney’s favour, it’s possible that the father of five could face criminal charges. Aside from that, he’s also still being investigated regarding the Mar-a-Lago classified document scandal. Read more about those situations here, and here, respectively, and check back later for more news updates.

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Antonio Sledge, Young Thug’s Co-Defendent, Enters Guilty Plea

Antonio “Mounk Tounk” Sledge, a suspected YSL member and co-defendant of Young Thug, has reportedly plead guilty to multiple charges. Earlier this month, famed rapper Gunna was released from jail as Young Thug continues to sit behind bars.

According to Law & Crime, Sledge entered a guilty plea for “conspiracy to violate the racketeering act and to being a felon in possession of a firearm.” 

He will now give up his Fifth Amendment right to not speak on topics that could incriminate him. This also means that he has to testify truthfully “in any trial emerging from the indictment.” 

In exchange, prosecutors will then throw out his firearm charge. They will also “recommend he spend 15 years on probation for the racketeering charge.”

Commenting under DJ Akademik’s post about Sledge’s plea, Tekashi 69 offered his thoughts on the case. 

The “GUMMO” rapper wrote, “3rd slide is where ITS Very CLEAR that boy got probation in exchange for his testimony. Can’t even look into the camera. I would just keep scrolling but it’s funny how no one got the same energy for black rappers who openly on video cooperate with the law.”

Sledge is the latest alleged YSL member to enter a plea in the ongoing RICO case. Lil Duke took a plea deal earlier this month, while Gunna was released from prison following his Alford plea.

READ MORE: Young Thug’s Lawyer Speaks On Recent YSL Deals
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 17: Young Thug and Gunna perform at halftime during the Boston Celtics v Atlanta Hawks game at State Farm Arena on November 17, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

Releasing a statement after returning home, the “Pushin P” rapper made it clear that he didn’t cooperate with authorities, stating, “While I have agreed to always be truthful, I want to make it perfectly clear that I have NOT made any statements, have NOT been interviewed, have NOT cooperated, have NOT agreed to testify or be a witness for or against any party in the case and have absolutely NO intention of being involved in the trial process in any way.”

With Young Thug still facing RICO charges, the Atlanta rapper is set to later stand trial next month. Check back in with HNHH for new updates on the case.

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WATCH: Video Shows Gunna’s Release From Jail

Shortly after Gunna pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge, the rapper was released from jail on Wednesday (Dec. 14), allowing him to return home after seven months behind bars. 

Gunna was arrested in May along with Young Thug and other Young Slime Life (YSL) associates. He has been denied bond multiple times since.

The “Pushin P” rapper was spotted leaving the Fulton County Jail in a black hoodie, with a woman walking beside him. He appeared to smile as he walked out to a vehicle, clearly excited to be free again.

Gunna, whose real name is Sergio Kitchens, issued a press statement around the time of his release. In it, the 29-year-old made it clear that he hasn’t agreed to testify against any other person in the case.

Detailing his involvement with YSL, he penned, “When I became affiliated with YSL in 2016, I did not consider it a ‘gang’; more like a group of people from metro Atlanta who had common interests and artistic aspirations.”

READ MORE: YSL RICO Trial Set To Begin In January After Judge Denies Motion To Delay

“While I have agreed to always be truthful, I want to make it perfectly clear that I have NOT made any statements, have NOT been interviewed, have NOT cooperated, have NOT agreed to testify or be a witness for or against any party in the case and have absolutely NO intention of being involved in the trial process in any way,” he later claimed in the statement.

ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 13: Gunna and Young Thug attend 2021 Revolt Summit at 787 Windsor on November 13, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Prince Williams/FilmMagic)

Gunna also shared that he entered an Alford plea in the RICO case. According to Cornell Law School, it essentially translates to “a formal admission of guilt towards charges in criminal court while the defendant simultaneously expresses their innocence toward those same charges.”

“I love and cherish my association with YSL music, and always will,” the “Drip Too Hard” artist also wrote.

Young thug’s New Charges

Meanwhile, it appears that Young Thug will remain in jail until his trial kicks off next month. 

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 25: Rapper Young Thug attends the game between Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on March 25, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

As HotNewHipHop reported earlier this week, the “Best Friend” rapper was recently charged with reckless driving, speeding, and street racing. He already faced several federal charges in the RICO case. Prior to his arrest, he allegedly drove 120 MPH while joyriding on Interstate 85.

Check back in with HNHH for any new updates on Gunna, Young Thug, and the upcoming YSL trial.

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Young Thug Asks Judge To Suppress Involuntary Interrogation In RICO Case

As the YSL RICO trial nears closer, it seems Young Thug and his attorney Brian Steel are getting their affairs in order in hopes of getting the rapper his freedom back.

Though he was denied bond and is due to remain behind bars until January of 2023, the “Day Before” artist is said to be in good spirits, even somehow managing to show love to his rumoured girlfriend Mariah The Scientist and the late PnB Rock on his Twitter feed.

According to AllHipHop, the latest update from Thugger’s case reveals that he’s filed a motion requesting that the overseeing judge rule to suppress some statements he made while in police custody during an involuntary interrogation.

The Atlanta native’s lawyer has issued claims that two law enforcement officers interrogated his client in the Dekalb County Jail despite him never having waived his Miranda rights. According to Steel, Cobb County Investigator David Raissi and ATF Special Agent T. Cunningham placed the rapper in an interrogation room without his legal counsel’s permission, knowledge, or consent.

“All of [Young Thug’s] statements must be suppressed from the trial in the above-referenced case, and all witnesses must be instructed not to utter the fact that [Young Thug] made any statements which were not voluntarily made, were made in violation of his Constitutional right to counsel and made in violation of Miranda warning,” the filing declares.

In this handout photo provided by the DeKalb County Sheriffs Office, rapper Jeffery Lamar Williams, aka Young Thug, is seen in a police booking photo after turning himself in for outstanding drug and firearm charges September 13, 2018 in Decatur, Georgia. The charges stem from a traffic stop last year where police allegedly found drugs and a gun. (Photo by DeKalb County Sheriffs Office via Getty Images)

“Additionally, no mention can be made that [Young Thug] was given the opportunity to speak with law enforcement since this is post-arrest.”

At the same time, it’s been noted that the 31-year-old has requested that the judge return computers and phones that were seized from his Sandy Springs, Georgia home in July of 2015 when he was handed felony charges.

Thug allegedly threatened a security guard at a mall prior to the incident, leading authorities to raid his house and uncover an assortment of drugs and guns. Ultimately, though, the charges were tossed when a trial ruled that the search was unconstitutional.

The devices taken were suppressed by written order in April of 2017 and intended to be returned to the YSL leader, but he never saw them again. They instead ended up being sent to a company called Cellebrite by Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Sprinkel to be searched.

Steel has pointed out that there was no valid search warrant allowing this after the 2017 ruling, and that searching them in May of that year was a violation of Thugger’s “possessory interests in his lawfully obtained property that the prosecution had absolutely no legal right to possess.”

Ultimately, the end goal of this filing is for Judge Ural Glanville to suppress any statement Thug made during the aforementioned interrogation, as well as any evidence that may have come from his phones, hard drives, and computers.

See the legal documents for yourself here, and tap back in with HNHH later for more hip-hop news updates.

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Young Thug Denied Bond Again Will Remain in Jail Until 2023

young thug 100 Acres

Young Thug, born Jeffery Williams will not be leaving jail in 2022.  The Atlanta Rap star was denied bond a third time by a Fulton County court on Thursday. 

 Young Thug, 31,  has been in custody in Cobb County, north of Atlanta since he was arrested earlier this year on a  56-count indictment that includes charges of murder, robbery, witness intimidation, racketeering charges and more. 

Other notable YSL rappers, Duke, Yak Gotti, PeeWee Roscoe, and Unfoonk, Thug’s brother were also named in the RICO indictment. Gunna was denied bond as well and is due back in court in 2023. 

READ MORE: Young Thug Faces New Gun, Drug And Gang Charges In YSL RICO Indictment

According to Yahoo News, the presiding  judge said, “I have considered those arguments. And I’ve considered the proffers made by the state, I’ve considered the arguments of the defense. At this point in time, though… I am still not convinced that what you’ve argued anew, and taking into account what I have heard already… I am going to deny bond.”

Prosecutors claim Thugger is the leader of the Young Slime Life street gang aka YSL, which Thug and his defense attorneys strongly deny.  

Young Thug will remain behind bars in the Cobb County Jail until his trial begins in January 2023.

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Young Thug Denied Bond Again Will Remain in Jail Until 2023

young thug 100 Acres

Young Thug, born Jeffery Williams will not be leaving jail in 2022.  The Atlanta Rap star was denied bond a third time by a Fulton County court on Thursday. 

 Young Thug, 31,  has been in custody in Cobb County, north of Atlanta since he was arrested earlier this year on a  56-count indictment that includes charges of murder, robbery, witness intimidation, racketeering charges and more. 

Other notable YSL rappers, Duke, Yak Gotti, PeeWee Roscoe, and Unfoonk, Thug’s brother were also named in the RICO indictment. Gunna was denied bond as well and is due back in court in 2023. 

READ MORE: Young Thug Faces New Gun, Drug And Gang Charges In YSL RICO Indictment

According to Yahoo News, the presiding  judge said, “I have considered those arguments. And I’ve considered the proffers made by the state, I’ve considered the arguments of the defense. At this point in time, though… I am still not convinced that what you’ve argued anew, and taking into account what I have heard already… I am going to deny bond.”

Prosecutors claim Thugger is the leader of the Young Slime Life street gang aka YSL, which Thug and his defense attorneys strongly deny.  

Young Thug will remain behind bars in the Cobb County Jail until his trial begins in January 2023.

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Promoter Files $150K Lawsuit Against Young Thug Over Canceled Show Due To His Incarceration

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According to a report from HotNewHipHop, a promotion company has filed a lawsuit against Young Thug while he is being held in Fulton County Jail for not returning a $150K deposit for a 45-minute stage performance that would ultimately cost $300K.

Back in January, A-1 Concert Entertainment contracted Young Thug, giving him the $150K up front and the remainder of the deposit and the end of his performance. A-! sought a refund after Thugger was arrested on RICO charges, contacting YSL Touring for their monetary return, but they were never refunded. Thug is now being sued for breach of contract.

Brian Steel, Young Thug’s attorney, says that the lawsuit taints the jury pool, saying, “Whoever is placing items of discovery online is not doing anybody a favor. It is totally inappropriate to try this case on social media. This case will be tried fairly and justly in Fulton County Superior Court.”

Thug also faces more legal woes, with the Fulton County D.A. claiming that YSL supporters are threatening a witness and their family in the RICO case against Thug and 27 other YSL members. District Attorney Fani Willis uncovered a document circulating on social media that is part of the witness’ statement. The witness contends that his life and that of his children are now in danger.

Thug is set for trial for January 9, 2023.

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Kim Kardashian Tweets #FreeGunna In Support of His Release From Jail

freegunna kim kardashian

Kim Kardashian is taking to the internet to declare that she wants Gunna released from jail amid his pending Rico charges.  The 29-year-old YSL rapper was arrested in May on charges of racketeering, drug possession with intent to distribute as well as receiving stolen property.  

Gunna, born Sergio Kitchens, pled not guilty to the charges but was denied bond and is set to remain in a Georgia jail until January 2023, when he’ll face trial.  

READ MORE: Nurse Caught Allegedly Trying To Smuggle Cocaine and Weed Into Jail For Gunna

The Skims owner is now voicing her support for Gunna, tweeting “#FreeGunna” and emojis that reference his most popular song, Pushin P.  

Kim Kardashian has made a reputation for herself in the past few years, helping to secure the release of a number of inmates. The soon to be a lawyer, visited former President Donald Trump on behalf of small-time drug-trafficker, Alice Marie Johnson, and he pardoned her life sentence a week later. 

The state’s prosecution has argued that Gunna plays a leadership role in the YSL crime family and that he will be able to intimidate witnesses if he is let out on bond. Along with Young Thug, Gunna is facing a 56-count indictment.

Gunna maintains that the allegations are false and he is innocent. His attorney’s claim, “The indictment falsely portrays his music as part of a criminal conspiracy.”

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Kevin Liles Takes The Stand, Judge Denies Bond For Young Thug: “A Danger To The Community”

young thug denied bond

Atlanta rapper Young Thug is going to remain in prison until his trial date after being denied bond in his RICO case.

Fulton County judge Ural Glanville said during a hearing Thursday that he has concerns about Thug, whose real name is Jeffrey Williams, being “a danger to the community.” 

According to Variety, CEO of 300 Entertainment, Kevin Liles even took the stand and testified that Thug who is signed to his label is “like a son” and he was willing to put up his own wealth and business to secure his bond. Machine Gun Kelly also provided character testimony on Thug’s behalf.

READ MORE: Young Thug’s Defense Refers to Him as “The Babe Ruth of the Music Industry”

Prosecutors argued he is the head of Young Slime Life. Allegedly a street gang that has committed multiple murders, shootings and carjacking’s over the last decade.

The 56-count indictment includes charges of murder, robbery, witness intimidation, drug and gun possession, drug dealing and carjacking. Other notable YSL rappers were also named in the indictment, including Gunna, who was denied bond last month.

Despite the strong plea from Thug’s defense, the judge sided with the state denying bond, while also citing a possible flight risk. Adding that Thugger would pose a risk of committing additional felonies, as the “top dog” if he were released.

Young Thug is being held at Cobb County. He faces charges of conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO Act and participation in a criminal street gang. His trial date set for January 9, 2023.

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[WATCH] Fulton Co. Prosecutor Alleges Young Thug And Gunna Were “Followed By Snipers”

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The RICO charges against YSL headliners Young Thug and Gunna have stunned many in the Hip Hop community, with Gunna recently being denied bond and not given a hearing date until 2023. Now, a video of a court hearing shows a prosecutor claiming that the two Young Slime Life artists were part of a “command structure” of YSL and even allege they had snipers always around to protect them from law enforcement.

The Fulton County prosecutor claims that Thugger, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, and Gunna, whose real name is Sergio Kitchens, would “taunt” their officers by rapping about the snipers they kept on deck that were trained to go. The prosecutor detailed a law enforcement encounter where YSL associates were arrested with illegal guns after they were stopped for allegedly tailing the police.

Both Young Thug and Gunna remain behind bars until their court hearings.

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