Rapper Nuke Bizzle Accused Of Stealing $1.2 Mil In Pandemic Funds

BY Erika Marie 5.4K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Alex Wong / Staff / Getty Images
Nuke Bizzle, Fontrell Baines, Federal Charges, Arrests, EDD
He rapped about how he gets money from the California Employment Development Department and authorities began investigating him.

There's a fine line between rap and reality as artists often say their lyrics are nothing more than artistic license. However, some rappers tell on themselves in their songs, and it looks like Nuke Bizzle, real name Fontrell Antonio Baines, did just that. According to the Los Angeles Times, Baines rapped about an unemployment benefits scheme and how to get over on the government, and on Friday, he was arrested. Nuke Bizzle has been hit with federal charges pertaining to accusations that he swindled the government out of $1.2 million in COVID-19 unemployment pandemic funds.

It's reported that Bizzle is accused of using stolen identities to help obtain pandemic unemployment relief benefits and used the money on his life of luxury in the Hollywood Hills. In the music video for his track "EDD," Nuke Bizzle raps about the California Employment Development Department as he holds up envelopes and speaks about making his way to the bank from the money he's acquired from the agency.

Authorities state that the rapper has been charged with access device fraud, aggravated identity theft, and interstate transportation of stolen property. If convicted of the three felonies, Bizzle could spend upwards of 22 years in prison. This isn't the first time at Nuke Bizzle has been taken into custody on allegations of fraud. He was also reportedly arrested in Las Vegas after he was found to have "eight EDD debit cards in seven different names without the owners’ consent" along with almost $50K in cash. 

This time around, Bizzle was linked to 92 differed EDD cards that were "pre-loaded with $1.2 million." Check out his music video for "EDD" below.

[via]


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

Comments 10
Page was generated in 0.9790050983429