Cops Bust a Move on Busta Rhymes

02/23/2007 5:50 AM, E! Online
Josh Grossberg

Another day, another bust for Busta Rhymes.

Just when you thought he was safe to get behind the wheel again, the platinum-selling rap star was arrested early Thursday and charged with driving with a suspended license, according to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

According to the complaint, officers observed the 34-year-old Rhymes running a red light at approximately 5:05 a.m. After pulling him over, the cops ran his license and found that it had been suspended after he failed to answer a summons.

"He was arraigned Thursday evening on charges of aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle in the third degree and also unlicensed driving," said D.A. spokesman Edison Alban.

The first count is a misdemeanor which could land the hip-hopster a maximum of 30 days in the slammer if convicted. The second charge is an infraction carrying an unspecified fine.

Rhymes' attorney, Scott Leemon, did not immediately respond to calls for comment.

The emcee, whose real name Trevor Smith, seems to be spending more time adding to his rap sheet than promoting his new album, The Big Bang.

On Tuesday, Rhymes and his lawyer turned up in Manhattan Criminal Court where they agreed to consider a plea deal in an assault case.  In return, the rapper-actor would receive a conditional discharge that would allow him to avoid doing time.

The counts stem from a pair of complaints lodged against Rhymes last year. The first was filed in the summer by a 19-year-old fan who claimed he was beaten up by the entertainer for spitting on Rhymes' SUV.

The second came from a 39-year-old man, reportedly Rhymes' former driver, who alleged the Brooklyn-born performer roughed him up last December in a dispute over money.

Rhymes, who has maintained his innocence, agreed to mull over the judge's proposal, which would allow him to be placed on three years' probation and perform a hefty amount of community service. The next court date in that case is set for Mar. 26.

He was also nabbed by police in November for talking on his cell phone while driving his GMC Denali, a moving violation that resulted in a summons. It is unclear whether it's that summons that resulted in his license suspension.

Rhymes is also contending with another alleged beatdown. He was sued for assault by a fan who claims he was roughed up by Rhymes and a member of his posse after asking for an autograph at a sandwich shop in downtown Manhattan.