Pubdate: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 Source: Dallas Morning News (TX) Copyright: 2000 The Dallas Morning News Contact: P.O. Box 655237, Dallas, Texas 75265 Fax: (972) 263-0456 Feedback: http://dmnweb.dallasnews.com/letters/ Website: http://www.dallasnews.com/ Forum: http://forums.dallasnews.com:81/webx Author: Maxine Waters, Member of U.S. Congress MAP Editor's note: This letter from Rep Waters appeared in the online DMN, 02 Oct 2000, with headline and explanation as follows: REQUEST FOR SCRUTINY Here is the text of the letter by Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, asking Attorney General Janet Reno to intercede in a joint Drug Enforcement Agency-Houston police investigation of music executive James Prince and Rap-A-Lot officials: August 20, 1999 Ms. Janet F. Reno Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice Constitution Avenue & 10th St, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20530 Dear Attorney General Reno, Pursuant to our telephone conversation this morning, I am writing to request your assistance on what I believe to be an urgent matter. Mr. James Prince, owner of Rap-A-Lot Records, believes his life to be in danger at the hands of rogue officers from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in Houston, Texas. James Prince is a 34 year old, African-American entrepreneur who has created a very successful business producing and managing rap artists. It is my understanding that Mr. Prince has amassed sizeable assets from his business which is operating out of Houston, Texas. Mr. Prince believes that he is being harassed and intimidated by the DEA officials in his hometown of Houston because of their assumption regarding the legitimacy of his business finances. Mr. Prince alleges that the DEA has accused him of earning the profits from his business illegally. In addition, he alleges that he has been subjected to racial slurs, the illegal search of his automobile and that his customers are stopped and questioned without provocation by the DEA. Mr. Prince also has raised concerns about the interference in his right to travel and he has been stopped numerous times on dark stretches of Texas highways. Simply put, Mr. Prince believes strongly that the Department of Justice must intercede into the questionable practices of the DEA and provide him with the necessary protection to ensure that his life and livelihood are not subjected to ongoing harassment and intimidation. Attorney General Reno, Mr. Prince has contacted me out of desperation. While in Houston, Texas, I had the opportunity to visit Mr. Prince's buildings and I spoke to his workers. After listening to Mr. Prince's concerns and that of his customers, I suggested that he document his torments at the hands of DEA agents and send it to you for your perusal. Please understand that Mr. Prince has asked me to assist him because of my work surrounding the intelligence community, police harassment and brutality, and the reported incidents of "driving while black/brown." I am often contacted by African Americans who feel helpless when confronted with the incidents as described by Mr. Prince. The harrowing details of Mr. Prince's allegations and my reputation in vigorously pursuing such matters warrants that I assist him to the best of my capabilities. Will you please give this matter your immediate attention? I anxiously await your response. Sincerely, Maxine Waters, Member of Congress - --- MAP posted-by: John Chase