Entertainment

US$18m settlement rejected in B.I.G. case

The late Notorious B.I.G. - file

los angeles (ap)

THE CITY COUNCIL turned down an offer to settle the Notorious B.I.G. wrongful death lawsuit for US$18 million.

Council members voted against the proposed settlement in a closed session on Wednesday. The move was expected and followed a separate request by the slain rap star's family for US$2.1 million in attorney fees and costs.

The federal judge who declared a mistrial in the case last month determined that a police detective had deliberately withheld relevant evidence. The city was ordered to pay "fees and costs incurred as a result of defendants' misconduct."

The family submitted its request for that money, but it was unclear how much the city would actually pay.

The rap star was 24 when he was killed in 1997 while leaving an awards show after-party in Los Angeles. Released two weeks later, his Life After Death double album spawned hits like Hypnotize and Mo Money Mo Problems.

Survivors of the rapper, whose real name was Christopher Wallace, accuse a corrupt former Los Angeles police officer of orchestrating the killing at the behest of Death Row Records founder Marion 'Suge' Knight, possibly as part of a war between rival record labels. The family is expected to refile its suit.

Police have not named Knight or the former officer as suspects and neither has been arrested in connection with the crime.