Busta Rhymes ordered to pay fan $100,000

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Busta Rhymes and his bodyguard Troy Green were ordered to pay an autograph seeking fan $100,000 for allegedly assaulting him when he asked for an autograph.

Smith, a handyman, approached Rhymes for an autograph outside of Corner Gourmet II deli near City Hall. Rhymes and Green allegedly beat up Smith, causing a cut on his eye that required four stitches.

Smith's lawyer explained, "My client was not aggressive in seeking the autograph. Melvin went in to get an autograph and got a knuckle sandwich instead."

Rhymes has an extensive history of aggressive behavior. In 2004, the rapper pleaded no contest to charges that he allegedly grabbed and shoved a fan named Celine Giguere who touched his face after a performance in Fall River, Massachusetts, in December 2002. Rhymes was placed on unsupervised probation for six months, and he was also ordered to pay $300 in court costs and a $21 fee for unsupervised probation. The case was automatically dismissed after the six-month period.

Last year, Rhymes was charged with assault charges for allegedly getting into it with a fan who spit on his Maybach.

Rhymes was also arrested and charged with assault last week for allegedly beating up a former employee who was seeking back pay.