Young Thug is getting his cars and money back after Georgia allegedly botched the YSL seizure
A judge in Georgia has directed state authorities to return property and cash that were seized from Young Thug amid the prominent YSL prosecution, signifying yet another legal resolution related to the lengthy case.
On Wednesday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker issued a written order stating that prosecutors are required to return the majority of items seized during the investigation, pointing out the state’s failure to adhere to necessary civil forfeiture protocols. The property boasts an impressive collection of luxury vehicles, including a 2022 Chevrolet Corvette, a 2022 Porsche 911, three Mercedes-Benz models, a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a 2018 Lamborghini, a Can-Am Spyder motorcycle, a variety of jewelry, and over $149,000 in cash.
The ruling arises from a petition submitted by defense attorney Brian Steel, who contended that the state failed to request a civil forfeiture hearing within the 60-day deadline required by Georgia law. Last year, Judge Whitaker initially supported the defense. Following the state’s appeal, which was subsequently dismissed, the court confirmed that the property is to be returned.
In her order, Whitaker stated that the statute explicitly mandates the prompt return of seized property once a forfeiture complaint is dismissed and no additional appeals are pending. She stated that the state did not provide any legal basis for maintaining custody of the property in those circumstances. Prosecutors have until 5 p.m. on Friday to return the items.
The decision comes after the conclusion of what turned out to be the longest criminal trial in Georgia’s history. The case commenced in May 2022 when prosecutors in Fulton County unveiled extensive racketeering charges against Young Thug and numerous others, claiming connections to a criminal street gang. The process of jury selection took almost ten months, and the testimony continued well into 2024.
In October 2024, Young Thug reached a plea agreement, admitting guilt to multiple charges and entering a no contest plea to additional ones. He was released the next day and placed on probation with stringent conditions, which included restrictions on returning to metro Atlanta and obligations for community outreach. Weapons that were confiscated during the investigation will not be included in the return order.
