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When file-sharing giant Megaupload.com was shut down by the FBI in January, it was revealed that producer Swizz Beatz was involved as one of the company's chief executives.
While it appeared that Swizzy had been cleared of responsibility because his role was loose and unfinalized, the government is now claiming that the super-producer was, indeed, a factor at the company and they're using his alleged involvement as a tool in attempting to bring the case to the U.S., reports Gizmodo.com.
The producer (real name: Kasseem Dean) was listed on the site as CEO when it was taken down earlier this year, and had supported the company before the bust. However, his lawyer would later claim Swizzy's involvement was more of an endorsement, rather than an executive involved in day-to-day operations.
The government argues otherwise. According to reports, U.S. attorney Neil MacBridge said he represented Megaupload in front of the United States Trade Representative in December 2011, which indicates he was officially involved and gives the opportunity for the federal government to try a case against the maligned site within the country.
Prior to this week, chances that the case against Megaupload would be tried in the U.S. were slim, because the company was operated overseas and wasn't within U.S. legal jurisdiction.
A filing by MacBridge officially claims the connection between the project and Megaupload.
"After Defendant Dotcom became Defendant Megaupload's Chief Innovation Officer, the company appears to have employed at least two Chief Executive Officers in the United States: first David Robb and then Kasseem David Dean (also known as Swizz Beatz)," the filing reads.
As of press time, Swizz Beatz has yet to comment.
Stay tuned...
