The Michael Carlin Podcast: Rampart Scandal, LAPD Corruption, and the Tupac-Biggie Cover-Up

In the latest episode of The Michael Carlin Podcast, Michael Douglas Carlin dives deep into the Rampart Division corruption scandal of the late 1990s and early 2000s, highlighting its direct connections to the murders of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.

Carlin begins by recommending his book Chaos Merchants, available on Amazon, and introduces compelling archival material from Dave Emory’s For the Record program (episode 227, excerpted from a 2000 broadcast). The discussion centers on the explosive revelations from disgraced LAPD officer Rafael Perez, who became a key informant exposing systemic misconduct within the department.

The Rampart CRASH Unit Scandal

According to the transcripts and reporting from the Los Angeles Times (February and March 2000), Perez described a secret fraternity of anti-gang officers — particularly in the CRASH unit — who engaged in widespread criminal activity. This included:

• Planting evidence and guns on suspects

• Framing innocent people

• Committing unjustified shootings and then covering them up

• Stealing drugs and money from evidence lockers and suspects

• Celebrating shootings with plaques (black for fatal, red for non-fatal)

Perez detailed how officers would "fix” crime scenes, delay ambulances, and coordinate false stories before supervisors arrived. He estimated that up to 90% of CRASH officers falsified information. The scandal extended beyond Rampart to divisions like 77th, Southeast, and Central, as well as the Compton Police Department.

Carlin emphasizes that these corrupt practices were not isolated. He notes connections to earlier LAPD intelligence units (like the Public Disorder Intelligence Division) and even overlaps with the O.J. Simpson case through figures like Connie Dial (formerly Malazzo), who handled the Bundy crime scene and had intelligence community ties.

Direct Links to Tupac and Biggie Murders

Carlin explicitly ties the Rampart officers to the hip-hop murders:

• Rafael Perez and associates were allegedly present at the Peterson Automotive Museum the night Biggie Smalls was killed and kicked shell casings, corrupting the crime scene.

• The same group had connections to Las Vegas on the night Tupac was shot.

• Perez protected certain officers (notably David Mack) in his testimony while implicating others.

• Officers involved in these circles had ties to Death Row Records, including relationships with figures close to Suge Knight.

Carlin argues this forms part of a broader "Murder Wrap” — an unofficial LAPD cover-up to shield the department from massive liability. Coming clean, he suggests, would have exposed the city to billions in lawsuits.

Greg Kading and Ongoing Cover-Ups

The episode criticizes investigator Greg Kading (referred to in the transcript with spelling variations), noting his involvement in the Rampart-era environment and his later work on the Tupac and Biggie cases. Carlin questions whether officers willing to perjure themselves and plant evidence can be trusted to deliver the truth about these high-profile murders.

Carlin’s Personal Stance

Throughout the episode, Carlin makes clear his position: "I am anti-corrupt cop. But I love the men and women that in law enforcement that honor their oath of office.”

He advocates for reviewing cases involving innocent people imprisoned due to corrupt officers and supports honest police work. He mentions working on multiple cases of wrongfully convicted individuals tied to these scandals.

Broader Context

Carlin connects the dots to the larger environment of the mid-1990s: the height of Death Row Records, the crack epidemic, CIA-linked drug operations (referencing Gary Webb and Michael Ruppert), and intelligence community infiltration of the LAPD.

The podcast frames the Tupac and Biggie murders not as a simple East Coast–West Coast feud, but as events entangled in deep institutional corruption that has never been fully exposed.

This episode of Chaos Merchants continues Michael Douglas Carlin’s commitment to examining evidence and challenging official narratives. By revisiting the Rampart scandal through primary reporting and Perez’s own words, Carlin builds a case that the truth about the deaths of Tupac and Biggie remains buried under layers of police misconduct and institutional self-protection.

Listeners interested in the full discussion can find Chaos Merchants on major podcast platforms. Carlin welcomes feedback and questions via email (MichaelDouglasCarlin@gmail.com) or X (@MichaelDCarlin).

Michael Carlin has created a gripping true crime podcast that dives deep into the most haunting, unsolved, and shocking cases from around the world. Hosted by veteran filmmaker journalist and author Michael Douglas Carlin, each episode meticulously reconstructs infamous crimes — from cold-blooded murders and mysterious disappearances to elaborate cons and decades-old cover-ups — blending chilling narration, exclusive interviews, archival audio, and careful analysis of evidence.

What sets The Michael Carlin Podcast apart is his commitment to humanity: the show honors victims and their families while fearlessly examining the psychology of killers, systemic failures, and the thin line between justice and injustice. Episodes vary in length and often include listener-submitted tips on active cases.

Whether you’re a longtime true crime obsessive or new to the genre, The Michael Carlin Podcast delivers spine-tingling suspense, thoughtful investigation, and haunting stories that linger long after the credits roll.

From Tupac and Biggie's Murders to JFK's Assassination and everything in between, we look at true crimes that echo from the past.

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