mb
EXCLUSIVE:
How a Freelancer Became a National Threat
Urban style and culture writer Richard Baimbridge prides
himself on being the penultimate outsider (one of his more controversial Paper
Magazine pieces was about drinking his own urine). But, he never dreamed
his piece on a graffiti crew called Irak could land him on the FBI's list of
suspected terrorists....
In Baimbridge's own words:
"I wrote an article for Dazed and Confused magazine
in London several months ago about a NY graffiti gang called Irak. The magazine
has been terrible about paying me, but swore that the money had been sent as
of last week, even though my bank swore the money had not been received. Actually,
the money had in fact been sent -- but the description on the wire tranfser
said 'for Irak' -- here's the email I received from my editor regarding this..."
From: Susanne Waddell
Reply-To: Susanne Waddell
To: Richard Baimbridge
Date: 12 Oct 2001 12:19:00 +0100
Richard
You have to hear the latest on your money situation the international department
from our bank has phoned me to say that your bank won't release the money to
you until we'd confirmed that you weren't anything to do with Iraq as that's
what was stated on the invoice so I've had to explain what you do who you are
etc just a catalogue of disasters when it comes to getting money to you but
it shoudl [sic] all be sorted now - let me know if there are any problems
Susanne
--
Publishing Manager
Dazed & Confused
----------------------------
The following is the letter Baimbridge, a writer for Details, Maxim, Wired,
Condé Nast Traveler and Black Book magazine, sent to Chase Manhattan Bank Special
Investigations, to release his frozen funds. We'll keep you posted on any new
developments in the case!
Richard Baimbridge
Freelance Journalist
[address removed by mb]
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Tel. 718.XXX.XXXX
rbaimbridge@hotmail.com
15 October, 2001
Dear Sirs:
As per your request for information concerning the nature of an international
wire transfer to my account on the day of October 8, 2001, in the amount of
$500 from Lloyd’s Bank of London, I would like you to know that there has apparently
been a serious misunderstanding. The description "for Irak" appeared on the
invoice, which triggered an investigation and freezing of the funds. I understand
the need for caution, given recent events. However, I am a freelance journalist,
not a terrorist. This money was a payment for an article I wrote several months
ago about a New York-based graffiti crew called "Irak." It was published by
the British fashion and culture magazine, Dazed&Confused, and then re-published
in Sweden. The research, as you have requested to know, was conducted entirely
throughout various bars, bridges, storefronts and subway tunnels in lower Manhattan
and the Bronx, as well as at my friend Kenneth’s house on the Lower East Side.
Likewise, the "materials" that I used while investigating this article, as you
have demanded to know prior to releasing the funds, consist of a laptop computer,
some Krylon spraypaint, a "hoody" (a hooded sweatshirt), and a copy of "The
Art of Getting Over", by the graffiti artist Revs. I also used the latest Capone’n’Norega
(no relation to Manuel) album for inspiration in writing the piece.
To make the matter absolutely clear, the word "Irak" doesn’t even have anything
to do with the country Iraq. Rather, it is urban slang, with origins in Hip
Hop culture. The expression "to rack" literally means "to steal" (usually spraypaint),
thus the tag "Irak" basically means "I’m a shoplifter." Graffiti artists often
tend to boast and/or associate themselves with such anti-social themes.
I hope this answers all of your questions, and settles the matter entirely,
as the funds were designated to pay my rent. Thank you for your concerned efforts.
If you have any further questions, please contact me on my cellie at 917.XXX.XXXX.
