DMX has been ordered to pay $240,000 in a civil suit related to that much previously reported incident in which the rapper, real name Earl Simmons, impersonated an FBI agent at New York's JFK Airport back in June of 2004.
A jury in New York's Westchester county this week heard the case of Sergei Priporin, who brought the suit alleging assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Simmons used a police light and siren to force Priporin, who was accompanied in his vehicle by his mother and daughter, to pull over in one of the airport's parking lots. The 36 year old says that the rapper, having claimed to be an FBI agent, attempted to forcibly remove him from the vehicle. Priporin, who originally sought $4million in compensation, told the Journal News: "It really doesn't matter whether he's a celebrity or not. Every person has to be accountable and responsible for their actions".Rich Corde, DMX's attorney, apparently claims that his client believed he was justified in making a citizen's arrest, which is some crazy shit if ever I heard it. He's quoted as saying: "His vehicle looked like it was a police vehicle and he believed Mr Priporin should've gotten out of the way. When Mr Priporin didn't get out of his way, he decided he should pull him over. He readily admits to making believe he was an FBI agent and telling Mr Priporin to get out of the car. He denies striking him or trying to pull him out of the car".
Simmons is, of course, currently serving time in Arizona in relation to charges of theft, animal cruelty and drugs possession.