Rapper Nuke Bizzle arrested for unemployment fraud after releasing song about it
An alleged scheme to fraudulently receive more than $1 million through unemployment benefits by rapper Nuke Bizzle has been blown up by federal authorities.
Officials accuse the hip-hop artist — whose song “EDD" references getting rich through unemployment services — of unlawfully receiving benefits in California through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, according to NBC Los Angeles.
The 31-year-old rapper has been arrested and reportedly faces 22 years behind bars on charges that include access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Prosecutors assert in an affidavit that the artist, whose real name is Fontrell Antonio Baines, used debit cards featuring the names of third-parties that were sent to addresses that the rapper had access to, according to NBC.
At least 92 debit cards that had been loaded up with $1.2 million were sent to those addresses, prosecutors contend.
The music video for “EDD” shows envelopes, apparently from California’s Employment Development Department, and features lyrics that refer to going "to the bank with a stack of these.''
The song features fellow artist Fat Wizza.
The description for the video on YouTube declares, “THIS VIDEO WAS CREATED WITH PROPS AND WAS MADE FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES.”
Baines is also charged with interstate transportation of stolen property.
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