The manager of slain Pittsburgh rapper Jimmy Wopo is coming to his friend's defense after a federal indictment named him as one of the leaders of a notorious Hill District gang.
RELATED STORY: 3 members of Hill District gang indicted on federal RICO charges
Taylor Maglin told Channel 11 the man he knew, real name Travon Smart, had no involvement in the violent acts alleged by the government.
"He funded the Hill District Rebels, the football team for the kids, and also made sure he funded a free camp -- not just for the Hill District community but for the entire area -- and kids could come from all over," Maglin said.
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Maglin said he knows Smart's family and knows they would agree with him that Smart wasn't the man portrayed in the federal indictment.
"They will say what they want to say," he said. "At the end of the day, this is the government. But i will keep the message positive, his music going, and his name alive forever."
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