50 Cent’s Instagram Posts Create Questions for Bankruptcy Court

Curtis J. Jackson III, also known as “50 Cent” is, quite ironically, having some problems with money. In July, he filed for bankruptcy. But despite that fact, he has consistently been posting pictures on Instagram and other social media sites that feature him posing with stacks of money. Some even poke fun at his financial situation–in one he arranged the stacks of cash to spell the word “broke.” But in light of those pictures, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Ann M. Nevins is calling him back in to bankruptcy court to explain himself.

Check out some of the pictures in question for yourself:

Bankrupt @50cent has to explain these stacks-of-cash Instagrams to a judge https://t.co/75ucD5txT0 pic.twitter.com/b5HmNF7ov6

— Esquire Magazine (@esquire) February 21, 2016

50 Cent declared bankruptcy. Then posted pictures of himself bathed in money. Big mistake. https://t.co/MChlKmtSUr pic.twitter.com/dqGqpwXXoB — Mashable (@mashable) February 21, 2016

50 cent ordered back into bankruptcy court after flashing cash on Instagram https://t.co/wf5y8VNufS pic.twitter.com/7WC2NvprWH

— Business Insider (@businessinsider) February 20, 2016

A judge thinks 50 Cent might not be bankrupt because of this picture https://t.co/r1MV63v0Gtpic.twitter.com/OnuEf7Wy3g — The Independent (@Independent) February 21, 2016

Based on those photos, Nevins stated at a hearing on Thursday her concerns over the photos, saying: 

I’m concerned about allegations of nondisclosure and a lack of transparency in the case. There’s a purpose of having a bankruptcy process be transparent, and part of that purpose is to inspire confidence in the process.

She also told 50 Cent’s lawyer: “When that process becomes very public, the need for transparency, I believe, is even higher.” 

50 Cent’s finances are so contentious because he owes a significant hunk of cash–$7 million–to his ex-girlfriend Lastonia Leviston over a sex tape dispute. He also owes about $18 million total to a former business partner and to his mortgage lender. Leviston was actually the person who brought the judge’s attention to the posts. The many people to whom 50 Cent owes money also pointed out that he has had a few large performances since declaring bankruptcy, and hasn’t disclosed the amounts he made as a result.

50 Cent’s lawyers claim that all of the rapper’s income has been reported, and that the pictures are just to keep up his public image on social media. But 50 Cent is going to have to explain himself in court–this is just another lesson that what you put on social media can come back to hurt you.   

Anneliese Mahoney

Anneliese Mahoney is Managing Editor at Law Street and a Connecticut transplant to Washington D.C. She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University, and a passion for law, politics, and social issues. Contact Anneliese at amahoney@LawStreetMedia.com.