Gotti proclaims his innocence and posts bail

Rap boss Irv Gotti and his brother Christopher Lorenzo have pleaded not guilty and posted $2m (€1.5m) bail to remain free men after being hit with money-laundering, racketeering and weapons charges in New York.

The brothers face up to 20 years in prison if they're found guilty of federal charges alleging they were involved in criminal enterprises led by convicted drug lord Kenneth ‘Supreme’ McGriff.

The INC boss and his brother were forced to hand over their passports as they left court in Manhattan yesterday, but reassured waiting fans and journalists they were innocent.

Gotti, real name Irving Lorenzo, said: "In no way, shape or form have I done anything wrong except make great music that the people seem to love and that's all that I'm guilty of."

The brothers are due back in court on March 18.