Rapper 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) has been in a well publicized bankruptcy case for the past several months. The rapper whose hits and business decisions have earned him millions is now claiming that he is broke. His court filings in the Chapter 11 case list $36 million in debts and less than $20 million in assets.
But Jackson has been posting pictures to social media of himself surrounded in cash, which he stated is all fake money used as movie props. However, the latest photo he took of himself in court with wads of cash stuck in his belt has caused anger with the bankruptcy judge.
Judge Ann Nevins told the rapper, “That’s not funny. While you’re in this courthouse, there is nothing funny going on. This is very serious stuff. I would appreciate it very much if we could keep it that way. You should all have been advised that there are no electronic devices in this courtroom and that has been extended to conference rooms.” The judge indicated that she would not stop Jackson from posting his pictures, which have been a cause of concern from the US Secret Service. Last month, the agency, which is a division of the Treasury Department and oversees counterfeit money investigations, contacted Jackson about his posts. He posted to his Instagram account that federal agents asked him if the money was counterfeit, to which he stated, “I don’t know.” It is illegal to knowingly possess counterfeit money in the United States and the rapper apparently dodged some serious charges.
For now, it seems that Jackson will halt his funny cash photos in deference to the seriousness of his charges. He had previously been summoned to court about his photos and indicated to media that he was going to delete his Instagram account and chill on the funny money pictures.
