50 Cent has filed for bankruptcy, but a judge isn’t convinced, because he keeps posting Instagram pictures of himself with huge stacks of money.
Judge Ann Nevins has ordered 50 Cent, born Curtis James Jackson III, to explain pictures he has posted to Instagram of himself playing with large amounts of money, including one image in which he has spelled out the word “broke” with stacks of cash.
The pictures, Judge Nevins pointed out, have cast serious doubts as to the veracity of Jackson’s bankruptcy claims.
“I’m concerned about allegations of nondisclosure and a lack of transparency in the case,” Judge Nevins said on Thursday. “There’s a purpose of having a bankruptcy process be transparent, and part of that purpose is to inspire confidence in the process.”
Judge Nevins went on to point out that bankruptcy was a system whereby “honest but unfortunate” people could get a fresh financial start, and the pictures made it hard to believe Jackson’s claims.
According to the Wall Street Journal, “The photos were flagged by Lastonia Leviston, who won $7 million in a sex-tape dispute but hasn’t been able to collect that money since Mr. Jackson filed for bankruptcy last summer.”
“Two other groups—Mr. Jackson’s mortgage lender and a partner in a failed headphone deal owed roughly $18 million—joined her in a fight to have an outside financial professional manage his money until he pay off the $30 million he owes creditors.”