WASHINGTON, DC -- Today NLPC President Peter Flaherty called on the media to pursue credible allegations that Vice-President Al Gore helped stop a narcotics investigation into James Prince, the controversial owner of Rap-A-Lot records in Houston.
A joint investigation of Rap-A-Lot by federal and local narcotics agents came to a halt two days after Gore made a March campaign appearance at a Houston church, at which Prince was present. Prince had previously made a $1 million gift to the church and had bought the pastor a new Mercedes. Prince has a history of weapons and drug arrests and is no stranger to controversy. In 1996, Rap-A-Lot released a video glorifying the killing of police officers.
On Wednesday, Attorney General Janet Reno ordered an investigation into accusations by narcotics officers that "political interference" resulted in the end of their year-long undercover probe. Rap-A-Lot has just released a CD by Brad "Scarface" Jordan, its best selling artist, on which he curses out two federal agents taken off the case. The song ends with the simulated sounds of an informants execution. Reno has ordered a new team of DEA agents, assisted by FBI agents, to reopen the case within a week.
Even before Gore's Houston appearance, the DEA was apparently under
political pressure to abandon the Rap-A-Lot probe. In 1999, Rep. Maxine
Waters (D-CA) conducted a highly unusual "interview" with top DEA officials
in Washington in her Congressional office with Prince present. One of the
most outspoken members of Congress, Waters blames the CIA for the crack
cocaine epidemic. She has stated that the Impeachment of President
Clinton was the result of racism. Regarding the Rap-A-Lot probe, Waters
asserts that Prince is the victim of "racial profiling."
Flaherty said, "Janet Reno is right to seek an investigation into the
closing of the Rap-A-Lot probe after Gore's campaign appearance. But I
question why she waited so long to do so. There is no way it will be concluded
before the election. Al Gore should answer questions now about his role
about this matter."
Flaherty continued, "If the media has an obligation to report on George W. Bush's 24-year-old DUI four days before the election, it certainly should ask Gore about this allegation that is far more serious."
NLPC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit foundation promoting ethics and accountability in government through research, education and legal action.