Bankrupt 50 Cent ordered by judge to start acting broke

A CONNECTICUT bankruptcy judge told rapper 50 Cent that if he’s pleading poverty, he better start acting like he’s broke.
“There is nothing funny going on here. This is all very serious business,” Judge Ann Nevins scolded the rapper, also known as “Fitty,” whose real name is Curtis Jackson.

“I am not trying to impede on anyone’s right to exercise free speech. But I would appreciate it if we can keep the tone of this case very serious,” she warned in a Hartford courtroom Wednesday.
“You have all been advised. This is not funny,” she added.
Nevis was likely referencing the Get Rich or Die Tryin’ rapper’s recent social media postings, including one on Instagram that showed stacks of cash in his refrigerators.
In another Instagram shot 50 Cent is posing in front of a black BMW i8 with a toy model in front of it and the comment, “One for the little Boss, one for the BIG ONE.” The luxury ride retails for $140,000.
“I want to make this very clear, that I am discouraging the use of social media to comment on this case, especially when parties are in a courtroom or in the conference room,” the judge said.
Fitty filed for bankruptcy last summer claiming he’s $28 million in debt. He made the filing just days after a Florida woman, Lastonia Leviston, won a $7 million verdict against him in Manhattan Supreme Court for posting her sex tape online to millions of viewers.
Just months before filing for bankruptcy, Fitty’s net worth was $155 million, according to Forbes. And a few weeks before claiming he was broke, the New York Times touted him a “Renaissance Man” with “exceptional business instincts” in a profile.
The rapper, who came to court wearing ripped blue jeans and a camouflage jacket, grimaced while listening to the judge.
Despite his casual attire and social media transgressions, the judge did applaud the entertainer for actually showing up for the hearing.
“By being present Mr. Jackson has made significant strides toward getting this case moving,” Judge Nevins said.
When asked about the postings after the hearing Fitty said he heard the judge’s warning.
“Instagram? Nah, that’s not me anymore,” he pledged.
The case is due back in court in May when the rapper’s attorneys will disclose information about new business deals he’s involved in, according to his lawyer Patrick Neligan.
“We’re trying to be very careful and move this along as quickly as possible,” Neligan said.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and is republished here with permission.