The rap artist Kimberly Jones, also known as Lil' Kim, was cross-examined by prosecutor Cathy Seibel with evidence that she owes nearly $1 million in back taxes, but the hip-hop diva plainly put it to the jurors that her finances are handled by her manager and accountant.
Siebel attacked Jones' character and said the rap star was contradicting her statement. Siebel argued that the rapper owes close to $1 million in back taxes which have been accumulating since 2000. Jones testified that she's followed all the necessary procedure to settle the matter.
The prosecutor also grilled Jones on a 2003 incident during which $500,000 of the rapper's jewelry went missing at the John F. Kennedy International Airport but was later recovered. But she testified that without reading she had signed a tax statement listing the value of her jewelry at $40,000, the actual price of which stood at about $500,000.
“If you're an entertainer, if you're in this business, this is how you delegate it,” she said to the packed courtroom.
Siebel also said that if Jones was so serious about paying back her taxes she would not have gone ahead and purchased a $2.3 million home in Alpine, New Jersey, in 2002.
Lil' Kim (29) and her personal assistant Damion Butler and a friend Suif Jackson have pleaded not guilty to perjury, obstruction of justice and conspiracy charges concerning a Feb. 2001 shooting outside New York radio station Hot 97.
But authorities say the gunfire took place after Lil' Kim's convoy came face to face with rival hip-hop group Capone-N-Noreaga on Feb. 25, 2001, outside New York radio station HOT 97. At least two dozen rounds were fired along the sidewalk that injured one man, the authorities said. In spite of witnessing the shooting, Lil' Kim deliberately lied under oath to safeguard two of her accomplice who were part of the melee.
“This was a very serious situation,” Lil' Kim testified. “I could not come into a grand jury and purposely tell false statements and lie,” she said.
The closing arguments at their trial were expected next week.
