A former apprentice of rapper artist Jay Z who was previously arrested of promoting prostitution has pleaded guilty to a drunk driving charge on Monday.
According to Daily News, Wais P, whose real name is Malcolm Byer, entered a guilty plea at the Manhattan Supreme Court to a charge of driving while intoxicated (DWI). He took a deal offered by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Michael Obus after prosecutors sought a much stiffer sentence during the plea negotiations.
Since it was his third DWI count, he is required to install an ignition interlock device on any car he drives. His representing lawyer, Theodore Goldbergh, said he was pleased of the result. "I'm very happy with the resolution of the case because we went through almost a year of trying to convince the DA's office (to make) a realistic offer," Goldbergh stated.
He added, "There was no accident in the case; there was no injury. What he really wanted all along was treatment for alcoholism," Hip Hop DX quoted.
Though his drunk driving case has been settled, Wais P, who briefly became Jay Z's protégé, is still expected to stand trial over his case on promoting prostitution. His current defense lawyer will also represent him for the said case on a May 18 trial. Goldbergh said, the case is based on "a great deal of speculation."
Investigators have pointed to his music lyrics as evidence to suggest the suspect really did manage prostitutes. However his lawyers have denied the allegations, insisting the bold claims made in his song are just part of hip-hop culture and do not reflect his real life, according to NBC New York.
Wais P was a member of the Da Ranjahs, a rap group once affiliated with Roc-A-Fella Records. He was also featured on Jay Z's Vol 2: Hard Knock Life album.
