Witness links Gotti brothers to attempted murder of rapper 50 Cent.

The Gotti brothers, whose real names are Irving and Christopher Lorenzo, were the subject of a years-long federal investigation that concluded earlier this year with their arrests on money-laundering charges (see "Irv Gotti Pleads Not Guilty, Released On $1 Million Bond"). On Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Haran accused them of running a covert money-laundering operation via hip-hop label the Inc., and prosecutors contended that the brothers routinely accepted cash from convicted crack dealer Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff's drug-dealing enterprises and then cleaned the illegal profits through film and music projects (see "Prosecutor Alleges Drug Ties To The Inc. In Gotti Trial Opening").

Ragin, a self-admitted pimp, is testifying as part of a plea deal he orchestrated with the federal government in exchange for leniency at the time of his sentencing on money-laundering and credit card fraud charges. He's pleaded guilty to both charges and, according to the prosecution, bilked banks, credit card companies and retail stores out of more than $1 million. During a round of questioning that occurred without the jury present, Ragin, a friend and former business associate of McGriff's, told the court he'd had several conversations with McGriff about 50 Cent.

Ragin said the conversations initially revolved around 50 being a problem — a nuisance who, before his 2000 shooting, made a habit of disrespecting the Inc.'s biggest name, Ja Rule, on mixtapes. McGriff had told Ragin he'd had several meetings with 50 and told the rising rap star to stop targeting Ja and the Inc. in his rhymes. Several verbal agreements were made between the two, but 50 never held up his end of the bargain, Ragin recalled.

On May 24, 2000, Ragin — who's in the Federal Witness Protection Program for reasons not related to the Gotti trial — said he received a call from McGriff, who said he had "hurt 50." McGriff wanted to speak with Ragin, and a meeting was set up in a Brooklyn garage. Ragin told the court McGriff sounded "rushed" on the phone, and when he asked him "what was up," McGriff told him, "We got him" — a reference to 50 Cent, Ragin later learned. . . . . .Full Story