NEW YORK (JTA) — The Jewish Defense League was suspected of being involved in extorting rap stars, including the late Tupac Shakur and Eazy-E, according to newly released FBI documents.
The files, which were opened this week with scattered redactions, say that the JDL, the Meir Kahane-founded group that supports the use of violent defense of Jewish interests, would make death threats to numerous rap stars and then provide them with “protection” in exchange for fees in the neighborhood of $50,000.
“The scheme involves [name redacted] and other subjects making telephonic death threats to the rap star,” the file says. “Subjects then intercede by contacting the victim and offering protection for a fee. The victim and their family are taken to a ‘safe haven,’ usually a private estate, and are protected by gun-toting bodyguards associated with the Jewish Defense League.”
Once at the so-called safe haven, JDL members would say they worked out a “deal” with the threatening party, and “The victim then pays the subjects for the protection services rendered,” the file said.
Among the rap stars allegedly targeted were Shakur, who was murdered in 1996 in a case that remains unsolved, and Eazy-E, who died of AIDS-related complications in 1995.
JDL officials did not respond to requests for comment.
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