A local rap artist could be indicted by the
federal government for attending an international rap convention in
Havana, Cuba a year ago. Minneapolis rapper Brock Satter received a
letter of inquiry from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which
enforces the Cuban embargo, regarding his trip. Satter had been invited
to perform at the Ninth Annual International Rap
Festival August 11-17, 2003, and flew there via
Montreal, Canada. Canada and most other countries have normal relations
with Cuba, but the U.S. federal government prohibits Americans from
traveling to Cuba except for a limited number of purposes. Earlier this
year, the U.S. government sent a letter of inquiry to the rapper,
questioning him about his journey. Letters of inquiry
are often seen as a prelude to punitive action. If charged and
convicted Satter can face a maximum civil penalty of $65,000, and a
maximum criminal penalty of $250,000 and 10 years in
prison. [more ]
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