Court documents in the Suge Knight hit and run murder trial have revealed what investigators believe is a well-organized extortion scheme targeting rappers who perform and live in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
A heavily redacted affidavit filed by Sheriff's Sgt. Richard Biddle states "Apparently when a new artist or rapper comes to either Los Angeles or Las Vegas, he is required to pay a 'tax' to defendant Knight."
Biddle also writes that Knight is part of an extortion scheme of rappers and professional athletes that is jointly run by the Crips and Bloods, and that Knight (a Blood) has earned at least 10 million for his part in the scheme.
Biddle also talked to the manager of a "well known" rapper who said that Knight charged his client 30 grand anytime he played LA.
Detectives began investigating Knight's role in the extortion scheme after he was shot six time last year at a Chris Brown record release party in West Hollywood.
Prosecutors in Knight's current murder trial are asking bail be set at $25 million, arguing all the money Suge has made extorting artists makes him a flight risk.
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