JAY-Z shuns court again in Roca deal

JAY-Z stayed out of the spotlight, but the show still went on.

The hotly anticipated appearance of the hip-hop star in Manhattan Federal Court ended in a fizzle Tuesday, with only his lawyer attending a hearing on whether he had to give testimony to Securities and Exchange Commission investigators. Despite JAY-Z (below right) being missing from the scene, Judge Paul Gardephe enforced an SEC subpoena and ordered him to speak with the agency. “The testimony has been delayed for five months,” Gardephe said. “I do not intend to tolerate further delay.” The performer’s lawyer, Alex Spiro (above left), agreed his client would testify next Tuesday. JAY-Z had bucked an SEC subpoena in November and another in February compelling him to provide testimony for its investigation of apparel company Iconix Brand Group’s $204 million purchase of his Rocawear brand in 2007.

The SEC is looking into the purchase, as well as joint ventures between JAY-Z and Iconix after the sale.