In a surprise move, 50 Cent and civil rights attorney Ben Crump took their fight for Black ownership in the liquor industry straight to Capitol Hill. On June 5, 2024, the duo met with Congressional leaders to push for more minority representation in the luxury spirits business.
According to a press release, their discussions centered on issues such as the Black wealth agenda, the widening wealth gap, and the marginalization of Black-owned companies by corporate America. Crump, who has a history of representing high-profile cases like those of Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor, has now joined 50 Cent’s legal team in his battle against business partners Beam Suntory.
“I am pleased to join the legal team representing Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson, as he is one of the most successful Black entrepreneurs in America, and even he is not immune to the bias treatment that faces minority business owners every day,” Crump stated. “He has been relentless in his fight to seek fairness and justice over the way he was treated by a corporate giant in the luxury spirits industry. Mr. Jackson’s journey has been a testament to how much a determined individual can succeed through hard work and vision, and yet he still must contend with the oppression that comes from being a minority business owner.”
Crump added, “We are committed to helping Mr. Jackson demonstrate the true ‘power’ of not just his television acumen, but also the power of the consumers to make corporate America allow a seat at the table for hard-working Black entrepreneurs.”
50 Cent’s legal battle with Beam Suntory has been intense. He has accused senior employees of embezzling millions from his Sire Spirits brand through unpaid invoices. Although mediation efforts were made last summer, a resolution remains elusive. The rapper has been vocal on social media, warning Beam Suntory that he will make them “pay for what they did.” In an Instagram post from March, he wrote, “These big companies think they can get away with anything. It has cost me millions in legal fees. They are gonna find out I’m not the one you want to play with.”
Beam Suntory denies any wrongdoing, asserting that it had “no involvement in or knowledge of the fraudulent activity alleged in the complaint.” They insist that all obligations to Mr. Jackson and Sire Spirits were honored and claim that any allegations to the contrary are unfounded.
Sire Spirits attorney Craig Weiner disputes this, pointing out that the illicit commissions inflated costs on taxes, customs, duties, and insurance. “Beam Suntory’s role here is extraordinarily troubling,” Weiner said, questioning how such fraudulent activities could go unchecked for so long in a heavily regulated industry.
50 Cent and Ben Crump’s visit to Capitol Hill highlights ongoing issues of inequality and representation within the luxury spirits industry. Their efforts underscore the challenges faced by minority business owners as they strive for fairness and a seat at the table in corporate America.
