The Justice Department has an interest in the United Sound Systems Recording Studios in Midtown Detroit where Aretha Franklin, Bob Seger and Motown Record Corp. founder Berry Gordy recorded hits, Crain's Detroit Business reports.
Robert Snell of Crain's writes that late last month federal prosecutors asked a judge to have the property at 5840 2nd Ave. forfeited to the government because the studio allegedly was purchased with money from suspected drug dealer Dwayne Richards, who was arrested last January after being on the run for four years.
The website describes the company this way:
United Sound Systems Recording Studios is more than just a Recording Studio – it is an institution which birthed a musical legacy which we still thrive upon. Established in 1933 by Jimmy Siracuse, it became the first independent and full service major recording studio in the nation and created a platform which gave artists, musicians, writers, and producers the ability to record music, cut the record and get airplay without being signed to a major label.
