50 Cent wants the government to step in and regulate the spirits industry after he made suicide threats from one of the people he accuses of defrauding him in his $6 million lawsuit against Beam Suntory.
As previously reported, Fife and his liquor brand Sire Spirits went to mediation with the companies after he accused their agents of embezzlement involving millions of dollars in unpaid invoices.
The lawsuit specifically named former Beam employees Julious Grant, Michael Caruso and his wife, Gina Caruso. A partner named Mitchell Green hired by 50 Cent to represent Sire Spirits was also named, as the rapper claimed they were involved in an elaborate corruption scheme with him.
Although Greene has pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and is currently awaiting sentencing, AllHipHop reported last week that Michael Caruso threatened to take his own life rather than face legal consequences for his alleged role.
The article reads: “During a conference call organized by Greene, with everyone listening, Caruso admitted to the theft, began sobbing, and threatened to kill Greene if he admitted the scam to 50 Cent. Will commit suicide.
The mogul shared a screenshot of the article on his Instagram on Sunday (June 30), writing: “Go read this article on @allhiphopcom Suntory changed their name to @suntoryglobalspirits this is A $3.2 billion company that’s doing this is kind of bullshit. The government needs to step in and regulate the spirits industry. They can’t succeed without the $70 million I have to put into this.
Caruso’s suicide threats came before formal charges were filed against him and his associates. However, he has since filed a countersuit against 50 Cent, claiming that he was excluded from the deal with Sire Spirits, was not properly compensated, and did not receive the ownership stake he was promised.
Shortly after, the rapper mocked Caruso in an Instagram video and accused him of being a whistleblower in an unrelated case.
The film is excerpts from a documentary about New York City’s notorious Limelight nightclub, owned by alleged drug lord Peter Gatien. Caruso reportedly served as an FBI informant in the case, betraying his friends and employer in the process.
The “Candy Shop” hitmaker wrote in the video: “This fool has been snitching since 1942, Don Julio! [grinning face emojis] You know he’s going to tell on everyone.
“Haha @beamsuntory is fucked up they pay this guy Michael Caruso half a million dollars a year and he and his partner Julius Grant put this all together. @beamsuntory @jimbeamofficial this is going to be a great show TV show.
Although Caruso denied the whistleblower accusations, MTV revealed that Caruso actually became a federal informant as early as 2000.
