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Monday | October 2, 2000
Request for scrutiny
10/02/2000
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Here is the text of the letter by Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, asking
Attorney General Janet Reno to intercede in a joint Drug Enforcement
Agency-Houston police investigation of music executive James Prince and
Rap-A-Lot officials:
August 20, 1999
Ms. Janet F. Reno
Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
Constitution Avenue & 10th St, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530
Dear Attorney General Reno,
Pursuant to our telephone conversation this morning, I am writing to request
your assistance on what I believe to be an urgent matter. Mr. James Prince,
owner of Rap-A-Lot Records, believes his life to be in danger at the hands
of rogue officers from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in Houston, Texas.
James Prince is a 34 year old, African-American entrepreneur who has created
a very successful business producing and managing rap artists. It is my
understanding that Mr. Prince has amassed sizeable assets from his business
which is operating out of Houston, Texas. Mr. Prince believes that he is
being harassed and intimidated by the DEA officials in his hometown of
Houston because of their assumption regarding the legitimacy of his business
finances.
Mr. Prince alleges that the DEA has accused him of earning the profits from
his business illegally. In addition, he alleges that he has been subjected
to racial slurs, the illegal search of his automobile and that his customers
are stopped and questioned without provocation by the DEA. Mr. Prince also
has raised concerns about the interference in his right to travel and he has
been stopped numerous times on dark stretches of Texas highways. Simply put,
Mr. Prince believes strongly that the Department of Justice must intercede
into the questionable practices of the DEA and provide him with the
necessary protection to ensure that his life and livelihood are not
subjected to ongoing harassment and intimidation.
Attorney General Reno, Mr. Prince has contacted me out of desperation. While
in Houston, Texas, I had the opportunity to visit Mr. Prince's buildings and
I spoke to his workers.
After listening to Mr. Prince's concerns and that of his customers, I
suggested that he document his torments at the hands of DEA agents and send
it to you for your perusal. Please understand that Mr. Prince has asked me
to assist him because of my work surrounding the intelligence community,
police harassment and brutality, and the reported incidents of "driving
while black/brown."
I am often contacted by African Americans who feel helpless when confronted
with the incidents as described by Mr. Prince. The harrowing details of Mr.
Prince's allegations and my reputation in vigorously pursuing such matters
warrants that I assist him to the best of my capabilities. Will you please
give this matter your immediate attention? I anxiously await your response.
Sincerely,
Maxine Waters,
Member of Congress
