en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_the_Notorious_B.I.G.
1 correction found
In 2007, Wallace's mother, Voletta Wallace; his widow, Faith Evans; and his children, T'yanna Jackson and C. J. Wallace, filed a $400 million wrongful death lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) alleging that corrupt officers were responsible for Wallace's death.
This sentence conflates two different lawsuits: the $400 million LAPD suit was filed in 2002, while the separate 2007 suit named the City of Los Angeles and former officers Raphael Perez and Nino Durden and was reported as seeking up to $500 million.
Full reasoning
The article merges details from two separate civil cases.
- A 2002 lawsuit was brought by Wallace's family against the LAPD. The Guardian reported in April 2002 that Wallace's mother, widow, and two of his children had "begun a civil action against the Los Angeles police department." A later Daily Beast report, citing former FBI agent Phil Carson and the lawsuit, described that same April 2002 case as a "$400 million civil lawsuit" against the LAPD, Chief Bernard Parks, and the City of Los Angeles.
- The 2007 lawsuit was a different case. The Los Angeles Times reported on April 18, 2007 that the family's new suit named the city of L.A., plus former officers Raphael Perez and Nino Durden, and that it estimated losses from Wallace's death at as much as $500 million.
So the sentence is inaccurate because it assigns the 2002 $400 million LAPD suit to 2007, and it misstates the 2007 defendants and amount.
3 sources
- Family sues LAPD for killing of Notorious B.I.G. | The Guardian
The family of the murdered rap star ... has begun a civil action against the Los Angeles police department ... The case, brought by Wallace's mother, Voletta, his widow, the singer Faith Evans, and two of his children...
- Former FBI Agent: How the LAPD Derailed My Investigation Into Biggie Smalls' Murder | The Daily Beast
In April of 2002, Biggie's mother, Voletta Wallace, his widow, Faith Evans, Biggie's two children and one of their legal guardians filed a $400 million civil lawsuit against the LAPD, Chief Bernard Parks, and the City of Los Angeles...
- Notorious B.I.G.'s family files lawsuit alleging conspiracy | Los Angeles Times
The suit estimates that financial losses as a result of Wallace's death could be as much as $500 million. In addition to Perez and Durden, the lawsuit also names the city of L.A.