by Memorie Knox

(Finalcall.com)�Calling it the "Rodney King case of hip-hop," Min. Benjamin Muhammad, CEO of the Hip-Hop Action Network and an assistant to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, said a formal police brutality complaint has been filed with the Miami Beach, Fla. police department. The complaint charges motorist Raymond E. Scott, co-owner of the Source magazine and passenger Curtis Williams, were harassed and beaten by Officer Robert Silvagni.

The complaint alleges Mr. Scott was pulled over Aug. 21 by the officer at approximately 1:55 p.m., while driving with Mr. Williams in his 1999 Ferrari. After approaching in an aggressive manner, the officer reached in the window, punched Mr. Scott in the face and proceeded to pull him out of his car by his hair, the complaint says.

Min. Benjamin, Mr. Scott�s attorney, Mr. Scott�s father, local Nation of Islam leaders and a host supporters held a well-attended news conference Aug. 31, one day after taping of "The Source Hip-Hop Awards" in Miami Beach.

During the press conference, held at the Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach, Atty. Michael Rosier, president of the National Bar Association and Mr. Scott�s lead attorney, told the media that Mr. Williams, the passenger, called the publisher of the Source on his cell phone, during the incident. Although the publisher didn�t answer, Atty. Rosier said the voice mail recorded 50 seconds of the actual encounter.

The recording was played at the press conference and is being prepared for distribution to hip hop radio stations across the country, Mr. Scott�s supporters said. On the recording, Mr. Williams can be heard pleading with the officer to "stop hitting him (Mr. Scott)," they said.

Atty. Rosier also said four eyewitnesses from New Jersey have given accounts that support Mr. Scott�s police misconduct claim.

Statements of support for Mr. Scott came from Adora Obessi, Florida NAACP state president, and civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton.

Miami Beach Police Chief Richard Barreto has reportedly opened an internal affairs investigation into the alleged incident. Miami police say Mr. Scott was stopped for speeding and arrested after shouting obscenities and attacking the arresting officer.

Mr. Scott has been charged with battery on a police officer, marijuana possession and carrying a fraudulent license, officials said.

This incident is a clear case of racial profiling and injustice, Min. Benjamin told The Final Call. The officer began beating Mr. Scott after realizing that he was connected with The Source magazine, he charged.