G Herbo pleaded not guilty to federal fraud charges on Wednesday (Dec. 9).
The Chicago rapper, whose real name is Herbert Wright III, appeared via videoconference from a home in Los Angeles, where he turned himself in to federal authorities after he and five members of his crew were charged last week in Massachusetts for using stolen identities in an elaborate fraud scheme.
If convicted, he faces up to six years in prison, reports the Chicago Tribune. Wright was released on an unsecured $75,000 bond and must surrender his passport and submit to drug testing.
During the 30-minute hearing, Wright’s lawyer revealed that his fiancée, Taina Williams, is four months pregnant. He requested that he be allowed to travel to New Jersey to visit her and their new baby. The judge granted the request.
One of the witnesses in the case is Ari Fletcher, with whom G Herbo shares a child. Wright has been ordered not to speak with Fletcher about the case.
The 14-count indictment alleges that Wright, along with other members of his team, used stolen identifications over a four-year period to charge over a million dollars in services, including private jets, luxury cars, lavish vacations, and two designer puppies. Prosecutors have uncovered as much as $1.5 million in stolen goods and services so far.
G Herbo’s management company, Machine Entertainment Group, released a statement after he was charged saying he “maintains his innocence and looks forward to establishing his innocence in court.”
Also charged in the alleged scheme were Antonio “T-Glo” Strong, Wright’s promoter and manager; South Side rapper Joseph “Jo Rodeo” Williams; and alleged co-conspirators Steven Hayes Jr., Demario Sorrells and Terrence Bender.
