KINGSTON – INCARCERATED reggae star Buju Banton is warning concert promoters in Trinidad to be wary of an unscrupulous individual who has been attempting to scam them out of cash under the guise that he is an authorised agent for the artiste.
In a joint press release the Buju Banton Defence Support Committee and his attorney Professor Charles Ogletree warned against anyone handing over money to the unnamed individual.
“A certain individual in Trinidad has approached promoters with the false claim that he is the local agent for renowned reggae musician Buju Banton. He has further sought to swindle monies by stating he is authorised to collect funds for a concert being held for Buju Banton in Trinidad during this year. We wish to warn the public that it is totally untrue. Buju Banton has not given such rights to anyone in Trinidad. Nor is a concert being organised at this time,” the release stated.
The artiste’s interests warned of legal action if the alleged scammer is caught.
“Anyone seeking to do this would suffer legal conse-quences. We urge that you immediately inform the authorities of anyone who solicits monies from you for that purpose,” the release stated.
Buju Banton is currently serving a 10-year sentence on drug-related charges.
He was arrested at his South Florida home in December 2009 and charged with conspiracy to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine.
His arrest came on the heels of a sting operation at a Drug Enforcement Agency-controlled warehouse in Tampa, which also resulted in the arrest of James Mack and Ian Thomas, who were attempting to purchase co-caine from undercover agents.
After two trials he was sentenced in a Tampa, Florida court.
However, Ogletree has filed a second appeal in the 11th US Circuit Court on February 4 claiming his client was denied a fair trial due to juror misconduct.
After Banton was sent to prison, jury foreman Teri Wright told a reporter that she had defied the order of Judge Tim Moody and studied aspects of the Pinkerton Law.
She was then ordered to hand over her computer for forensic perusal by experts hired by Banton.
However, it was discovered that she turned over an old computer and not the one she had used to study the law.
Banton has maintained his innocence and says he was entrapped by the US Government.
He is currently serving his sentence inside the Miami FCI penal facility and is set for a January 2019 release if his appeal is unsuccessful. (Observer)
