Police are planning
to charge Hip-Hop star Busta Rhymes with assault charges, after the rapper allegedly
assaulted a driver who was seeking back pay, the day after Christmas (Dec. 26).
Busta
Rhymes, born Trevor Smith, allegedly assaulted Eddie Hatchett, 39, in Rhymes’
office on W. Broadway in Manhattan, when Hatchett attempted to collect money Rhymes
allegedly owed him. The
rapper, 34, allegedly struck Hatchett multiple times, causing a laceration on
the man’s face. The
following day (Dec. 27), Hatchett reported the incident to police. According
to The New York Post, police will charge Busta with a misdemeanor charge
of third-degree assault, when he reenters the United States tomorrow (Jan. 2).Rhymes’
lawyer Robert Kalina has agreed that Rhymes will surrender to authorities for
questioning about the assault, when he returns from his travels abroad. "I’m
just an average Joe trying to support my family," Hatchett said. The
charges are the latest for Busta Rhymes, who is already facing assault charges
and harassment for allegedly punching and kicking a man who spit on his Maybach
as the rapper’s entourage drove by in midtown Manhattan in August of 2006.The
rapper declined a plea bargain that would have allowed him to serve six months
for the assault.In
Feb. 2005, Rhymes’ bodyguard was shot and killed on the video set for his "Touch
It (Remix)" single, taken from his critically acclaimed album The Big
Bang.
Policeare still seeking to question Rhymes about his knowledge of the shooting and murder,
but police say the rapper refuses to cooperate.