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Jay-Z and his company, Roc Nation, are under fire after they allegedly attempted to bribe a community organizer who was protesting their plans for a casino in Manhattan.
Gwynne Hogan of TheCity.NYC reports that Roc Nation offered Aleta LaFargue $20,000 per month if she worked as an independent contractor for the company and supported the casino plans.
Hogan reports that it’s unknown if LaFargue agreed to the contract, but at a recent community meeting, she softened her stance on the potential casino.
“I know there’s a lot of feelings about whether or not our community gets a casino, but here we are to listen to what they have to say, what they have to offer,” she reportedly told area tenants at a recent meeting to discuss the plans.
Jay-Z And Roc Nation Attempted To Bribe Community Organizer Over Casino
According to Hogan, LaFargue did not disclose the offer to community members before offering her thoughts.
“What they weren’t told is that LaFargue had been offered a $20,000-a-month contract to work as an independent contractor for Roc Nation, according to a copy of it obtained by THE CITY dated January 2024, Hogan reports. “The document says that LaFargue would ‘advise and support the Company as it relates to community engagement,’ ‘provide strategic counsel as it relates to assisting the Company with its mission to have a positive social impact’ and ‘attend meetings and select mutually agreed community events.’”
The news comes just days after Jay-Z came under similar scrutiny for his hand in landing Kendrick Lamar a spot as the halftime performer at Super Bowl 59.
“There’s no reason why Little Wayne should not be performing the Super Bowl. It’s one person who’s stopping this. You know, it’s not really a secret,” fellow rap star Cam’Ron said about the decision. “Lil Wayne had a problem with somebody before who’s kinda part of the organization running it. This is payback.”
Jay-Z did not comment on Lamar’s gig, or Cam’Ron’s comments. But its undoubtedly been a tumultuous month for a music mogul.