Clipse Manager Receives 32-Year Prison Sentence

On Monday, Jan. 11, former Clipse manager Anthony "Geezy" Gonzalez was handed down a 32-year federal prison sentence, after pleading guilty to being the ringleader of a $20 million drug conspiracy.

According to an 82-page indictment by the prosecution, Gonzalez organized a distribution network which moved over a half-ton of cocaine and a ton of marijuana since 2003.

The prosecution claimed that Gonzalez imported drugs from sources in Florida, California, Arizona and Panama, and made large-scale drug transactions, which the feds surveilled, including the purchase of 625 lbs. of marijuana and 10 kilos of cocaine in 2007.

According to the feds, Gonzalez funneled the money he made from the drug sales through several legitimate businesses, such as his nightclub, Encore Lounge, which he allegedly purchased for $80,000 and 40 lbs of marijuana, and the Clipse's booking agency, Soul Providers Management.

The documents state that Gonzalez' organization posed as "music producers, rappers, entrepreneurs, club owners, clothing designers and other legitimate occupations in order to conceal the true source of their income." They must not have listened to many Clipse songs. Due to a combination of cooperation with the feds, support within the Virginia community and lack of a serious criminal record, Gonzalez was given the minimum sentence possible.

The former manager, who was well-liked within the music industry, made a remorseful statement at his sentencing, saying "I just want to say that I'm sorry to my family and I'm sorry to the community."

The Clipse's recent album, 'Til the Casket Drops' was released on Dec. 8. The group has yet to comment on Gonzalez's sentence.