The Rumor Mill
Is 'American Gangster' really all that 'true'?
NEW YORK (AP) -- In "American Gangster," which is "based on a true story," Denzel Washington -- as the '70s drug lord Frank Lucas -- confidently marches deep into the jungles of Southeast Asia as the Vietnam War rages in the background. He is looking for drugs.Denzel Washington plays drug lord Frank Lucas in "American Gangster."
Later, we see police break open the caskets of Vietnam casualties flown back to the States, searching for the heroin Lucas has audaciously hidden beneath the corpses. Then Lucas is shown as the dope dealer-turned-reformer as he exposes legions of corrupt police. Except none of the above ever happened.
The Harlem kingpin's infamous "cadaver connection" -- a pipeline of top-grade Southeast Asia heroin smuggled in GI caskets -- has always been at the center of his considerable and enduring mythology.
But it turns out that the casket story is just that -- a myth. And after revelations that "American Gangster" fabricates Lucas' role in rooting out police corruption, the film's credibility could be damaged. "Gangster" earned just two Oscar nominations Tuesday -- one for supporting actress Ruby Dee and one for art direction; actors Washington and Russell Crowe and director Ridley Scott were shut out. "Everybody always thought the caskets (carried heroin) -- even I thought it," says federal Judge Sterling Johnson Jr., who as special narcotics prosecutor was instrumental in Lucas' arrest and trial.
"The picture is 1 percent reality and 99 percent Hollywood," Johnson says. "Frank was illiterate, Frank was vicious, violent. Frank was everything Denzel Washington was not."
On Wednesday, several former Drug Enforcement Agents who investigated Lucas filed a class-action lawsuit against General Electric Co.'s NBC Universal claiming the film defames them and grossly misrepresents the truth. Produced by Brian Grazer and directed by Ridley Scott, the film has grossed more than $129 million at the box office and won largely positive reviews. Don't Miss
Review: Brilliant Washington powers 'Gangster'
New York: 'The return of Superfly'
Johnson says Lucas wasn't capable of securing a drug connection from the infamous Golden Triangle. Instead, it was Leslie "Ike" Atkinson, a sometimes supplier for Lucas, who was recently released from prison after serving more than 30 years. Atkinson has said he shipped drugs in furniture, not caskets.
"It is a total lie that's fueled by Frank Lucas for personal gain," Atkinson said by e-mail. "I never had anything to do with transporting heroin in coffins or cadavers." Author and journalist Ron Chepesiuk is currently working on a biography of Atkinson and co-authored "Superfly: The True, Untold Story of Frank Lucas, American Gangster." He blames the media for allowing Lucas' story to go unchecked. Chepesiuk says his research found no evidence or court records to substantiate the cadaver connection, "the biggest hoax in the history of the international drug trade." The story of Lucas' supposed connection first flourished on the streets, and was widely spread in a 2000 New York magazine article by Mark Jacobson. His article was the basis for the movie. "The magazine piece is a presentation of this guy's story and that's what he had to say," Jacobson says.
Even Lucas, now 77 and living in New Jersey, now claims he only smuggled heroin through coffins once. "I had a false-bottom coffin made." New Jersey police detective Richard "Richie" Roberts (played by Russell Crowe) is elevated to Lucas' foil in the film. Though Roberts, now a defense attorney, did play a role in the prosecution of Lucas, on screen he's a composite of many detectives and prosecutors. "They wanted a white boy," Lucas says of Roberts character.
Lucas is shown to turn informant, specifically against corrupt police officers. A legend at the end of the movie claims three-fourths of New York's Drug Enforcement Agency were convicted thanks to Lucas' cooperation. On Wednesday, former DEA agents Jack Toal, Gregory Korniloff and Louis Diaz filed their lawsuit, represented by Dominic Amorosa, a prosecutor in the 1975 federal case against Lucas. "(Lucas) was my informant for years," Toal says. "He never mentioned any crooked DEA agent or cop."
A DEA spokesman in Washington, Garrison Courtney, confirmed that no agents were ever charged with wrongdoing in the case.
A Universal Pictures spokesman, Michael Moses, has said the lawsuit is "entirely without merit" and that the film "does not defame these or any federal agents." The day before the lawsuit was filed, a spokesperson for the studio gave a statement to The Associated Press stating: "Universal Pictures has every confidence that the material facts are conveyed truthfully in 'American Gangster,' from abundant research with direct sources and from the public record." Grazer, who bought the story and shepherded the project for years, declined to be interviewed for this article.
Lucas can only recall informing on a police detective he called "Babyface," but denies informing on other gangsters or drug dealers: "I never testified on nobody," he said. Prosecutors involved in the case have contradicted that. Roberts, who prosecuted the superseding indictment in New Jersey, says of Lucas' insistence that he didn't inform on fellow dealers: "Absolutely not. He gets mad every time I tell the truth." (Roberts and Lucas later became friends and Roberts is even the godfather to Lucas' youngest son.) Toal says those Lucas informed on were "unanimously" criminals: "He never talked about a dirty cop or a DEA agent. He never gave up anybody like that. It was 100 percent drug dealers." Lucas's sentence of 70 years was reduced to five years after his informant work. Once released, Lucas was quickly arrested again for drug dealing, but on a much smaller scale. He served seven more years and got out of jail in 1991. Lucas remains full of vitriol for the Special Investigations Unit, which he calls "nothing but a shakedown." Many SIU detectives were indicted in the '70s following an investigation in which NYPD detective Bob Leuci went undercover among his colleagues, though there's no evidence that Lucas' collaboration had anything to do with the charges. Leuci's story has already hit the big screen. Robert Daley's book about Leuci, "Prince of the City," was turned into the 1981 film of the same title by Sidney Lumet. But Lucas' legend has only grown since "American Gangster" was released, leaving some -- like Roberts -- to wonder if they've helped glorify a villain. "I'm glad this over," Roberts says. "I'll tell you that."
Jacob the Jeweler Pleads Guilty
Manhattan jeweler Jacob Arabov pleaded guilty yesterday in a Detroit court to falsifying records and lying to a federal agent in connection with a drug investigation.
The man affectionately known as "Jacob the jeweler" to well-heeled clients like Sean Combs, Jay Z and Allen Iverson, copped the plea in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Arabov was arrested in a sting by federal agents investigating the Detroit-based Black Mafia Family for laundering proceeds from cocaine sales. Arabov was indicted for selling the group jewelry and inflating the jewelry's value by falsifying receipts.
In a deal with federal prosecutors, Arabov agreed to pay $2 million in fines, roughly the cost of the jewelry involved in the false documents. Arabov originally told federal agents the jewelry had been lent to BMF for video shoots when in fact the jewelry had been sold.
Arabov likely faces as much as 46 months in prison.
The original charge of money laundering, which could have brought him 10 to 15 years in prison, was dismissed, his attorney Benjamin Brafman said.
Insider: Jay Z wanted to play Frank Lucas in 'American Gangster'
A confidential source has revealed the real reason behind Jay Z's "concept" album "American Gangster". The source who is close to Jay Z's camp, said Jay Z was "hurt" and "disappointed" that he didn't get the plum role of the Harlem numbers runner-turned-heroin dealer. The insider also said Jay Z felt slighted when the film's producers nixed his offer to record the soundtrack for the movie.
"He was assed out," said the insider. "They f*cked with his ego big time. Jay is not a man who can take no for an answer." The source also said Jay Z called in favors and tried to pull rank by going to Denzel Washington, who was eventually given the role. "The truth has never been told: Jay Z wanted the role years ago when Universal Studios first purchased the rights to "The Return of Superfly," said the insider, referring to the New York magazine article by Mark Jacobson.
The insider also claimed Jay Z entered into negotiations with then director Antoine Fuqua only to be turned away when Denzel expressed interest in the screen play. "Word gets around Hollywood fast when there's a good script, and Denzel wanted in on that project. Jay wasn't even taken seriously after Denzel's name got mentioned, but they kept stringing him along."
According to the insider, when Universal Studios cancelled production of "American Gangster" in 2004, Jay Z felt it was a sign from God. "He felt like if he wasn't going to be in it the movie shouldn't be made at all."
When production on the movie began anew in 2005, Jay Z changed tactics. "By then they had spent so much money on this thing, Jay just wanted to be involved in any way he could cause he thought [the movie] was going to be a block buster," said the source. Jay Z visited the set often and convinced his friend Denzel to talk to the producers on his behalf. "He wanted to do the soundtrack to the movie so bad, and initially everyone involved thought it was a great idea," said the source. "But nothing ever got signed - just a lot of talk.
"Once Jay realized they were stroking him again, he went into the studio to record his own soundtrack. He was in a race against time cause he wanted [the album] to compete with the movie," said the source. In September, Jay Z announced his new "concept" album "American Gangster" which he claimed was "inspired by" the movie. "Bullshit," said the source, - "At this point he doesn't want that movie to do well. Why you think all those clear studio copies of the movie are flooding the streets? This the first time a movie ever got bootlegged way before the movie was in the theaters. Only somebody with a studio copy could have done that."
Denzel Washington is pissed
My spies tell me that actor Denzel Washington, whose new film American Gangster hits theaters this Friday, is one unhappy camper. What's got Denzel mad enough to slap Sanaa Lathan?
Well, reports are that American Gangster is running neck and neck with Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married, for the most bootlegged movie this year. According to unpublished reports, more than 10,000 bootlegged copies of American Gangster were downloaded from some obscure internet website based in the islands. In addition to that, thousands more bootlegged copies were sold by street enterprisers in barber shops and beauty salons across the country this weekend.
Word is Universal Pictures executives aren't worried about the bootlegging. Even though they spent over $100 million dollars and years making this movie. Universal execs claim they are targeting older, more suburban (read: educated) audiences that aren't likely to buy bootlegged DVDs off the street.
On the other hand, the producers - and Denzel - seem to think this is some sort of conspiracy because the bootlegged copies are clear as hell. Not only that but the audio is Surround Sound which means this isn't some theater webcam production with Tyrone standing up in front of the screen hollering, "Yo, Quisha, bring me back some Gummi Bears!"
It remains to be seen if American Gangster's early profits wil be adversely affected by all this rampant bootlegging.
What's different about Ciara?
A loyal reader just emailed me and issued me a challenge: She asked me to locate recent pictures of my friend Ciara and compare them. So I did. Now what?
I don't see anything out of the ordinary. Does anyone see anything different about Ciara?
That's what I thought.
And I'm not just saying that because Ciara personally requested me to shoot her Atlanta birthday party and I declined. I'm just being honest. She looks the same to me. Now when I do call a celebrity out for buying new boobs, it's because it's obvious.
SHAQ FILES FOR DIVORCE - CHARGES WIFE WITH CHEATING WITH PERSONAL TRAINER!!!
Courtesy of mediatakeout.comYesterday evening Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal (35) filed to divorce his wife of nearly five years, Shaunie (32). The two seemed like the perfect couple to most outside observers.
This seemingly out-of-nowhere filing has people all over the sports world are wondering what could have happened. Well MediaTakeOut.com got the inside scoop on what really went down!!!
In an exclusive interview, MediaTakeOut.com spoke with one of Shaq's employee's who claims that Shaq suspects Shaunie of being unfaithful. According to the insider, Shaq is accusing his wife of carrying on an affair with her 27 year old personal trainer.
The trainer, who is of native Cuban descent, has been training Shaq's wife for nearly a year.
According to our insider, Shaunie has been increasing the frequency of private training sessions ever since the spring. The insider tells MediaTakeOut.com, "Shaunie and [the trainer] started off having weekly sessions. But they increased the number of sessions until she was seeing him almost every day." The insider added, "I'm not saying that there was anything inappropriate going on between them, but they were very close. So I can understand where Shaq is coming from ... Whatever was going on between them, it just didn't look right."
Shaq's employee isn't convinced, however, that Shaq's marriage is over. The insider explained, "Right now Shaq filed [for divorce] because he's angry. But the way that those two love each other, I'm convinced the marriage can be saved." Our source continued, "Besides, Shaq has a few skeletons in his closet himself - and there's just too much [history] between them for either to walk away this easily."
But if this divorce ever does get to court, it may get ugly. Shaq's pit bull lawyers have made the first move. They've already requested that Shaunie O’Neal to provide a “correct accounting of all money, funds, stocks, bonds, and other securities” that she had access to or obtained during the marriage.
Shaq and Shaunie have four children together -- Shareef, 7, Amirah, 5, Shaqir, 4, and Me'Arah, 1. Shaq has a daughter, Taahirah, and Shaunie has a son, Myles, from previous relationships.
Developing...
The R Kelly Trial
Courtesy of whatspoppincentral.com
The R Kelly trial is scheduled to take place next month. But sources in Chicago's Cook County State Attorney's office say that there may not be a trial.
That's because, a source close to the case says that R Kelly and State Attorneys are on the verge of reaching a plea deal. An insider tells MediaTakeOut "[The prosecution's] case hinged on the fact that the young woman in the video would either testify for [the prosecution] or not testify at all. Once Reshona [LAST NAME REDACTED] agreed testify on behalf of R Kelly, and say that she wasn't the girl in the video, it became nearly impossible for the prosecution to expect a conviction."
And the prospective deal appears all too generous for the 40 year old R Kelly - who is charged with 14 counts of child pornography. According to the source, the deal being offered would allow the R&B singer to escape serving any jail time at all. Tells our insider, "It would be up to the judge, but it's not likely that R. Kelly would serve even a day in prison."
Developing...
I Need Answers
Courtesy of http://www.crunktastical.blogspot.com/
This morning I received an email of the African Queen pictured above, claiming that she was supposedly one of Toni Braxton's sisters. While she does bear a very strong resemblance to the singer I'm not 100 percent sure that she is of any actual relation to Braxton. If she is she should've hit the strip to earn her sister some extra change! Got her running around Las Vegas bouncing checks.
Submitted by BIBBY
Sofa King Hot
Courtesy of http://www.crunktastical.blogspot.com/
[1] If you have ever had the pleasure of eating free public school lunch you already know what I am talking about. Around '99 when my district superintendent decided to switch out beef and chicken with soy products . . . I don't even have to tell you what went down afterwards. All I have to say is that you better believe on Taco Day every single window was down on the "Big Cheese." Disgusting but true
Submitted by BIBBY
NO, SERIOUSLY – 50 CENT IS CRAZY. CERTIFIED. CALLS OUT WAYNE AND BABY!
Courtesy of allhiphop.com
Lil Wayne ain’t replying to 50 Cent so 50 is going to up the ante until a full scale war blasts off.
Click here to hear 50’s new love song, “Part-time lover.”
50 says, “You make me want to kiss you like Baby kiss Wayne and make you call me Daddy like like Baby do Wayne…Damn that s**t sound so gay, its insane.”
By the way, 50 is talking to a woman in the song, but the song starts off with that beef-starting statement. 50 might wanna leave Wayne alone, boyyyyyyeee. Rumor has it, Lil’ Wayne has a diss song called “Gossip” that will diss 50 Cent. Now, I heard that 50’s name won’t get mentioned, but I know Wayne’s gotta reply to this! I mean, this is so WWE at this point, but that’s just wild of 50. Wayne's nice and he's shooting 30-foot jumpers. We'll see!
ARE WOMEN THIS DESPERATE FOR MONEY?
By L.T. Dinwiddie Courtesy of O1LT.com
What a weekend this has been. Just as Usher kicked Tamkea to the curb, reports are surfacing that How You Doin Eddie Murphy and legendary philanderer Tracy Edmonds are set to tie to the knot.
While details are sketchy, what is known is that Eddie reportedly proposed to Tracey this past Wednesday. The ring, which is estimated to be roughly 8 carats, and I’m sure was picked out by Johnny himself, was a canary diamond.
It seems that Mel B’s recent salacious revelation wasn’t enough to scare off the obviously mentally challenged Edmonds. What woman would hang around after the world, and his former girlfriend were speculating his sexuality? Someone needs to perform an intervention. And Eddie, aint no good gonna come to you if you don’t stop involving innocent woman into all your foolishness. Honey Chile you ain’t fooling NOBODY.
Submitted by Mr. Make it Happen
Beware of Superhead Fairytales
Provided by nahright.com
Me eat you? I’ll beat you…
As much as I would like to call Curtis out for being a slore’s personal carpet muncher, I’m going to have to take the high road with this one. A PR rep for Karrine has confirmed to me that all of those alleged quotes that have been floating around today are frugaze.
I could tell as soon as I read them, but I can see how somebody who isn’t familiar with her "work" might believe them to be legit. The amount of detail given, and the way she was just going all in and revealing everything was a dead giveaway though. Not to mention the fact that they’re supposed to be excerpts from her book, but they’re in Q&A form.
Submitted by BIBBY
Keyshia Cole & Young Jeezy On The Rocks?
25 07 2007
It has been widely rumored that Keyshia Cole was dating Young Jeezy. However, a couple of things have led me recently to believe that they may be on the outs.
NY Daily News had this tidbit yesterday:
R&B “It” girl Keyshia Cole and a female pal were overheard “complaining about men” for three hours over wine and chicken satay at upper East Side Chinese restaurant Chin Chin on Thursday (7/19) night.
The, last week when homegirl was on 106 & Park, all she kept talking about “relationships” and how “one has to be committed” and how “Mary J. Blige told her not to be worried about being in a relationship right now” because she was trying to make moves in her career…she babbled on even more about “relationships” during her very wooden appearance on the chat & vid show.
Hmmm….
Submitted by Mr. Make it Happen
The Word is Out
Courtesy sandrarose.com
The word has been out about Queen Latifah and her longtime companion/trainer Jeanette Jenkins. Their relationship is not exactly Hollywood's best kept secret. Jeanette, who has a DVD out called "The Hollywood Trainer", recently accompanied Latifah to the New York City premiere of "Hairspray" where she was accosted on the red carpet by Sister2sister's Jamie Foster Brown.
"Do you have a boyfriend?," asked a serious Jamie. "I’m in a relationship. I have been for a long time," Jeanette stammered before beating a hasty retreat down the red carpet. Why is it so important that our artists publicly acknowledge their gay or lesbian status? Are they obligated to come out because there aren't enough gay/lesbian role model images in the media?
Or does our need to know amount to a right to know because these are public figures? Personally, I don't care if a known lesbian or gay artist tells us to mind our own business. But doesn't it complicate matters when a Queen Latifah says she is "looking for a good brotha", or a Tyler Perry claims he is "searching for a good woman", yet you never see them in the company of the opposite sex?
NOT AGAIN!! ANOTHER MALE ESCORT CLAIMS THAT PASTOR MASE USED HIS SERVICES!!!
July 20, 2007.
A couple of months ago, MediaTakeOut.com reported that hip hop star Mase was caught in a compromising position with a transvestite prostitute. Now we've found another person who claims that he's still up to the same thing, but this time in New York City.
Here's that person's account of their encounter with Mase:
"It was around mid-May and I was standing on the corner in [a New York neighborhood]. It is a well known fact that [the neighborhood] is a very gay and diverse community. So anyway, a black SUV pulls up. I'm talking crome'd out rims - and the whole 9.Any more stories like this and Paster Mase might be forced to come out of the closet.
So I hear a voice asking me to come over. I do, and as I get closer - I realize this guy looks a lot like Mase. So then he asked me how much it would cost for my services. I gave him my rates and he was like let me think about it.
The black SUV pulled off and I'm thinking maybe the guy got cold feet. But about 15 minutes later, the black SUV pulls up again. This time, he is like 'hop in.' As I hop in, I get a good look at his face and I realize this is Mase. I wanted to play it off cool like it did not know he was a big celeb.
He pull's off about 3 blocks and we find a nice spot on the side of the road. Then he pulls out his member - and let me tell u he was BELOW AVERAGE. I did my business collected my money, and that was that.
I have to say that when he parked the truck, he was looking so soo nervous, but ... I know for a fact it was Mase."
Rumor: Hoopz Will Be On 2nd Season Of Charm School
Word on the street is that Flavor Of Love winner Nicole Alexander aka Hoopz will be on the next season of Charm School. Don't quote me on this because there have also been rumors that the 2nd season of Charm School will feature the guys of I Love New York. At this point, there's really no telling if there would be a 2nd season at all.
Anyways, if they ever do a Charm School for celebrities, I think she should sign up for it.
PLIES IS HIT WITH A LAWSUIT!
Reports say that Plies was scheduled for a concert July 8 in Montgomery but failed to appear after being wired an initial payment of $5,000 by local concert promoter Patrick Monfiston of P Entertainment Promotions.
Monfiston says Plies was in Florida the day of the show and was informed by Plies manager David Gay that the rapper would not be appearing. As expected, Plies no-showed the concert and there was some damage done to the venue by disappointed fans.
The next day Plies went on radio station Hot 105 saying that he wasn't paid. "Too many artists feel they can come in and do us (in Montgomery) however they want," Monfiston said. "I'm going to show them they're wrong."
In addition to Plies, his manager David Gay, management company ISA Bomb Entertainment, WZHT Hot-105 and the station's operations manager Michael Long are all named in the lawsuit.
Juvenile Back In The Studio With Mannie Fresh for Upcoming Album
It has only been a year since Juvenile's last album — 2006's Reality Check — but the New Orleans native is currently putting the finishing touches on his upcoming LP with longtime producer Mannie Fresh. The album, which is still untitled, will be tentatively released this fall on UTP/Atlantic Records. "I done matured a lot, 'cause you know my kids is getting older," Juve told XXLMag.com about the direction of his new music. "It's not all about Juve no more. Me and Mannie been back in the studio [and] I had to humble myself down…pimp down a level. I just want people to listen to this album and realize the time behind it. Realize the amount of years that I been around to still be doing what I'm doing and at the caliber I'm doing it." While Juve is hoping to release the album this fall, even he admits he doesn't know exactly when it will drop. "I don't know nothing," Juve told XXLMag.com. "I'm just doing songs. I'm a background player on this one. I'm a let Mannie and Atlantic call the shots."
