Lil Durk remains in custody while awaiting trial in his racketeering case, following his acquittal in the murder-for-hire case. However, he could potentially regain his freedom if the judge overseeing his current case approves his proposed bond package. Prosecutors are pushing back against the possibility of his release, pointing to several concerns, including the use of cash by Durk and his associates.
Journalist Michael Blackshire shared details on Twitter about the government’s submission of several documents under seal. The filings are connected to allegations that Lil Durk has been involved in bringing contraband into prison. Prosecutors argued that the rapper and his associates’ reliance on cash transactions highlights “the uncertainty of the scope of [his] and his associates’/intermediaries’ assets.”
“As the Court has seen throughout this case, defendant Banks and his associates transact in large volumes of cash, all of which would likely be undetected and protected from any forfeiture action should defendant Banks violate any conditions of bond,” prosecutors reportedly stated. “For these reasons, and the reasons stated in the government’s opposition and argument at the November 4 hearing, the Court should deny defendant’s application and order him detained.”
Lil Durk’s bond decision was not reached during his latest bail hearing on Wednesday (November 4). Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald will therefore need a few more days to examine the filings and arguments presented by both parties before making a ruling.
Lil Durk’s attorneys have strongly pushed back against the prosecution’s arguments opposing his bond. “There is a little bit of hypocrisy here,” defense attorney Drew Findling reportedly argued. “The Government is unwilling to accept…I’m embarrassed for them.”
“When I think of America, liberty is protected for trial,” defense lawyer Brian Steel reportedly said. “\[Lil Durk’s\] next trail is not until next August. That is not [his] fault. That’s the fault of counsel, who couldn’t work on a date until next August. Another year of waiting while imprisoned, that’s unimaginable. If it was up to [Durk], he would have a trial now.”
With the weekend approaching, the case is unlikely to move forward until court proceedings resume next week, when Judge Fitzgerald may finally deliver his decision. Regardless of the bond ruling, the Chicago rapper still has several legal challenges ahead of him.
