Posted on 02/27/2005 12:53:54 PM PST by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
A man accused of scamming businesses up and down the East Coast as well as in Buffalo while passing himself off as a rapper was arrested Friday in Georgia. Police and the U.S. Marshals Service apprehended Walker Washington, 36, of Augusta, Ga., who identified himself as the rapper Da' Franchise.
Washington racked up large bills for catering, studio recording sessions and other services, then left town without paying them, police and business owners said.
About a dozen companies in Western New York say they were scammed out of tens of thousands of dollars when Washington came to this area last December, claiming he was involved in an extensive entertainment project.
"I think it's fantastic. I think it's about time somebody caught up with him," said Ken Rutkowski, owner of the Outer Limit Recording Studio on Walden Avenue. He said his business lost $7,000.
After receiving an anonymous tip, U.S. marshals and Richmond County, Ga., sheriff's deputies made the arrest Friday afternoon in Augusta at a vacant nightclub that he intended to lease, the Augusta Chronicle reported.
He and Kendra D. Porterfield, 30, who was arrested at the same time, were being held in the Richmond County Jail. They are on federal probation for crimes committed in other states and under investigation in New York, Massachusetts and Florida in a number of theft-of-services cases, the paper said.
The Buffalo-area business owners say Washington - who may or may not be the real Da' Franchise - and his enterprise, New Visions Entertainment, touted grandiose plans for what he called "The $4.4 Million Project."
Washington and his entourage ate catered meals, stayed in eight rooms at a local hotel, rented limousines and hired private security. They also employed dancers and actors from a talent agency.
John Wichman, owner of Creative Concepts Studios on Symphony Circle, said company employees spent 51/2 days shooting video footage of Washington and his entourage. He estimated Washington owes him $7,700.
Sources say the Best Western Inn downtown lost $15,000 and a catering company in West Seneca lost $93,000. Chameleon West Recording Studios has hired a lawyer to try to get back its $32,400.
Dopes, who probably won't be in business for long.
FMCDH(BITS)
Yooz sho'nuff said it, sistah!
Oops, I better lay off the ebonics, it may break the FreeRepublic spell checker.
Nonetheless, I'll take your sage advice, and apply it to everything you wrote in your post.
Welcome to FreeRepublic!
LOL
Of course it is.
thanks ma i appreciate the luv its true, they dont understand the industry enough to make judgements and point fingers.
like i said once and i'll say again u'd be surprised what really goes on in the industry. Half the rappers and artists do not handle those situations. Our pay isnt discussed through the rappers there are a branch of people you go through in order to ask questions or make comments, its not so free like you al think. Those people who work for the artists are paid to handle that business. Whether you believe its his responsibility or not im just stating the facts. You'd really be shocked to know the reality of things on and off the road.
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