It’s official: former drug kingpin “Freeway” Ricky Ross has filed a lawsuit against William Leonard Roberts II aka rapper Rick Ross, in a California Federal Court.
Freeway Ricky’s attorney Melvin Sharpe Jr., ESQ., filed a trademark infringement lawsuit on Friday (June 18th) in U.S. District Court, Central District of California.
Judge Percy Anderson will issue summonses to Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and rapper Rick Ross who could both be called to testify during the discovery process.
Additionally, Jay-Z, Maybach Music Group., Slip-N-Slide Records and UMG Recordings are named as defendants in the lawsuit.
Jay-Z is named in the lawsuit because he signed Ross to Island Def Jam in 2006, while he was President of the legendary label, which Ross still calls home.
Under his deal with Def Jam, Rick Ross has released three chart-topping albums: Port of Miami (2006), Trilla (2008) and Deeper Than Rap (2009).
On Friday, lawyers for Freeway Ricky filed paperwork seeking a temporary restraining order for preliminary and permanent injunction relief, to officially block the release of Ross’ upcoming album Teflon Don.
Freeway Ricky accuses rapper Rick Ross of stealing his name, image and likeness to create a successful rap career.
The former drug dealer from Los Angeles, who raked in millions-of-dollars per day during 1980’s and early 1990’s.
In 1996, Freeway Ricky Ross was sentenced to life in prison, for attempting to purchase 100 kilos of cocaine from an undercover agent.
The sentenced was reduced in 2005 and in May of 2009, he was released from a Texarkana, Texas state prison.
Freeway Ricky currently runs his non-profit organization, Freeway Enterprises, which engages at-risk youth across the country and warns them of the perils the street life.
