Overview
The federal investigation culminating in the 2005 indictment drew on work by the Internal Revenue Service, NYPD, FBI, DEA, ATF, and cooperating local agencies. Prosecutors described a narcotics organization whose reach extended from New York into Maryland and North Carolina.
Homicide Investigation
The investigation connected McGriff to the 2001 murders of Eric “E. Money Bags” Smith and Troy Singleton. The Smith murder was treated as retaliation for the death of Colbert “Black Just” Johnson, while the Singleton murder was framed as an effort to prevent retaliatory violence.
Financial Branch
The 2005 indictment also investigated alleged laundering of drug proceeds through entertainment-related entities. Those allegations should be handled separately from the homicide convictions, and acquittals or dismissals involving other defendants should not be converted into guilt by association.
Selected Sources