Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Jacob the Jeweler Jailed

Sentenced to 30 Months Behind Bars

Jacob the Jeweler (nee Jacob Arabov) the jeweler-of-choice for many hip hop artists has been sentenced to federal prison. Known to many as the "king of bling," he pleaded guilty last October to falsifying records and giving false statements as part of a deal with federal prosecutors. "I feel ashamed that I broke the laws of this country, a country that has been so good for me," the Soviet immigrant told U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn. "I will carry this shame for the rest of my life."

Arabov immigrated from Soviet Uzbekistan at 14 and built a successful New York jewelry business. He was arrested in 2006 on accusations that he and members of the Black Mafia Family (a ring that operated out of detroit from 1990 to 2005 and whose members can be seen in many hip hop videos) conspired to launder about $270 million in drug profits. They say he tried to hide the ownership of part of $5 million worth of seized jewelry. Prosecutors dropped the money laundering charges in the plea deal. The seven-year investigation resulted in the indictments more than 100 people nationwide, federal authorities say. They say about 1,100 pounds of cocaine and $19 million in cash, cars and jewelry were seized beginning in 2000. The men the government says led the Black Mafia Family, brothers Terry and Demetrius Flenory, pleaded guilty last year and are awaiting sentencing. Arabov, also known as the "King of Bling," became popular among hip-hop and R&B artists in the mid-1990s. He launched a line of religious-themed jewelry with Kanye West, who later named him in songs including "Diamonds From Sierra Leone," in which he asked, "These ain't conflict diamonds, is they Jacob? Don't lie to me man."

He also manufactured Lil' Kim's line of Royalty watches.—Associated Press