The 'Drip Too Hard' hitmaker's legal team releases a new statement to reiterate that the rapper has not cooperated with prosecutors to secure his early release in the YSL RICO case.
- Feb 20, 2023
AceShowbiz - Gunna's legal team is once again defending its client against snitching allegations. On Sunday, February 19, his team issued a new statement to reiterate that the rapper has not cooperated with prosecutors in the RICO case involving other YSL associates, including Young Thug.
"Gunna has never been interviewed by or cooperated with law enforcement or prosecutors in the RICO case," read the statement issued by Steve Sadow, co-lead defense council of the 29-year-old star. "Nor have his attorneys proffered information on his behalf."
It continued explaining, "What was said at his Alford plea hearing was solely to resolve his own case. It cannot be used by the prosecution against Young Thug or any other defendant."
Gunna has been accused of snitching after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act on December 14. He took an Alford plea, meaning that he entered a guilty plea to the one charge while maintaining his innocence on that same charge as a form of self-preservation. He was sentenced to five years in prison, but it was commuted to time served.
In a statement after agreeing to plead guilty, he said, "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."
"I have chosen to end my own RICO case with an Alford plea and end my personal ordeal by publicly acknowledging my association with YSL," he added. "An Alford plea in my case is the entry of a guilty plea to the one charge against me, which is in my best interest, while at the same time maintaining my innocence toward the same charge."
Trying to maintain a good relationship with his label, he said, "I love and cherish my association with YSL music, and always will. I look at this as an opportunity to give back to my community and educate young men and women that 'gangs' and violence only lead to destruction."
At the time, Gunna's lawyer Steve also denied that he was snitching on his friends. "Gunna did not snitch to get out of jail. He has said nothing and is not cooperating," the attorney posted on Instagram. "His plea statement cannot be used in court against any other defendant. So please stop spreading lies!!!"
While Gunna has been released, Thug remains in jail and has been hit with eight counts in violation of the RICO Act, in addition to possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of codeine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun charges. He has also been deemed the ringleader by prosecution.
The "Stoner" hitmaker is currently one of the remaining 14 defendants that are on pace to face trial on RICO charges. His trial has been ongoing since January.
