Lil' Kim Charged Over Gunfight

Rapper Accused Of Perjury, Obstructing Justice For 2001 Shootout

(AP)  Lil' Kim, the rapper known for her outrageously revealing outfits and sexually charged lyrics, was charged Wednesday with lying to a grand jury about a 2001 shootout involving her entourage.

The 28-year-old star, whose real name is Kimberly Jones, turned herself in at federal court, where she was to appear before a judge. Her attorney, Mel Sachs, called the charges "baseless."

Also charged in the case were her manager, Damion Butler, bodyguard Suif Jackson and a friend, Monique Dopwell.

Authorities said the shooting apparently happened as Lil' Kim's entourage was leaving the hip-hop radio station WQHT, or Hot 97, and the entourage of the rival rap group Capone-N-Noreaga was arriving. One man in the duo's entourage was wounded.

The indictment said Jackson, Butler and at least one other person fired guns. Police said the shooting resulted from a feud between Jones and rap rival Foxy Brown, who has appeared on a Capone-N-Noreaga album.

Prosecutors said that on the day after the shooting, Jones refused to tell police the identities of anyone who had accompanied her to an appearance at the radio station.

On three occasions last year before a federal grand jury, she testified falsely, saying that Butler was not at the radio station the day of the shooting and that she did not know Jackson, prosecutors said.

Jones and Dopwell were charged with conspiracy to commit perjury, making false statements and obstructing justice. If convicted, each could face up to 30 years in prison.

Lil' Kim won a Grammy after teaming with Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mya and Missy Elliot in the hit remake of "Lady Marmalade."