Irv Gotti - Def Jam Found Guilty

ISLAND DEF JAM MUSIC GROUP (IDJMG) have been found guilty of fraud, copyright infringement, and breach of contract.

On Friday, (21MAR03) the NEW YORK FEDERAL COURT found Def Jam chairman LYOR COHEN interfered with the planned release by TVT RECORDS of a hip-hop album by producer IRV GOTTI.

The unreleased album featured JA RULE and his group CASH MURDA CLICK (CMC).

Before they signed to Def Jam, both Gotti and Ja Rule were on TVT records. TVT claimed that Cohen had given his approval for a Gotti-produced CMC album, featuring material by Ja Rule from when he was on the label.

TVT launched a $30 million (GBP20 million) suit alleging that later Cohen halted the release of the album, instructed Ja Rule and Gotti not to deliver the album to TVT and furthermore stated that he would "prevent the album's release unless it is released on Def Jam's label, rather than TVT's."

And despite the verdict, an IDJMG spokesperson says an appeal is on the way - claiming they feel the jury "was not allowed to consider all the evidence".

They allege the jury were not allowed to see a letter from Cohen to TVT supporting the projects or hear sworn testimony from Gotti claiming his alleged surprise by the TVT suit.

The spokesperson adds, "We are confident that when they do, we will prevail."

The jury is due to meet April 28 (03) to determine damages, according to TVT lawyer PETER HAVILAND.