The man who claims he was cut out of a record deal involving Shaquille O'Neal and R&B singer Ray J is now reportedly at the center of a kidnapping and robbery case involving a Shaq sex tape.
TMZ reports that seven gang members kidnapped, beat and robbed Robert Ross on Feb. 11, 2008. The seven alleged members of the Main Street Mafia Crip Gang of Los Angeles were on a search-and-destroy mission for a sex tape they belived Ross had, law enforcement sources told TMZ.
Ladell Rowles, reportedly a friend of O'Neal, and six other members jumped into Ross' car outside a convenience store and forced him to drive to Rowles' house.
Rowles allegedly pistol whipped Ross and demanded the sex tape before the seven men allegedly took Ross' Rolex, diamond chain and earrings, along with $15,000 in cash before letting Ross go.
L.A.P.D. detectives interviewed O'Neal to determine his involvement, if any, but the case file sent to the district attorney did not list O'Neal as a suspect. The seven men have been charged with robbery, kidnapping and other crimes.
As for the record label back story, TMZ reports that Ross delivered Ray J to a record label controlled by O'Neal and business manager Mark Stevens, but that Ross was cut out of the deal. Ross reportedly told the police he threatened to release the alleged sex tape unless O'Neal paid up.
O'Neal, 39, retired on June 1, and is fifth on the NBA's career scoring list with 28,596 points.
