Jimmy "Henchman" Rosemond, CEO of Czar Entertainment and manager of the rapper Game, Sean Kingston and others, has released a statement after federal officials issued a warrant for his arrest last week on charges of cocaine distribution.
Authorities said Rosemond, who has been on the run since being indicted, is an alleged affiliate of a powerful cocaine ring. In a statement to XXLmag.com, the hip hop entrepreneur said he was the victim of a smear campaign and denied all wrongdoing, but announced that he would turn himself over to authorities later today.
"A fair trial is afforded by the constitution and witnesses should be forthright without pressure or duress. That’s all I want and I’ll turn myself in today," Rosemond said.
Rosemond claimed he didn't know he was wanted by authorities until reports surfaced in the media last week.
"Although I have been aware of an investigation taking place over the last four years, I was never informed that an arrest warrant had been issued in my name. I first learned about that warrant through the media when the news was released last week," he said.
Though he admits to a checkered past, Rosemond says he's gone legit and has been targeted because of a "personal vendetta."
"I came up from nothing and made some mistakes early in my life of which I have already served time. Since then I have worked hard to establish my career in the music industry only to be targeted by these opportunistic prosecutors with a personal vendetta against me."
This isn't the first time the entertainment mogul has been named as an alleged participant in illegal activities. Rosemond was rumored to be involved in the 1994 shooting of Tupac Shakur at a New York City recording studio. The music exec has long denied any involvement in the crime.

In 2007, Rosemond's son was reportedly assaulted by 50 Cent affiliate Tony Yayo as a part of a long-running beef between Czar Entertainment and G-Unit.

(Photo: PNP/WENN)