Busta Rhymes easily posts bail

NEW YORK, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Rapper Busta Rhymes posted his $3,500 bail on New York assault charges on the spot --and in cash -- it was reported Friday.

After Rhymes was arraigned Thursday on charges of beating a former driver, one of his companions produced a wad of cash from his pocket and the entertainer born Trevor Smith walked free, the New York Daily News said.

A Department of Corrections spokesman said an internal investigation was under way into charges the rapper received preferential treatment from officials, the newspaper said.

Less than a half-hour after his court appearance, Rhymes was picked up in a Correction Department bus and driven past photographers and reporters to a waiting SUV, the News said.

"If anybody helped Mr. Smith in getting preferential treatment in avoiding the media or anything else, they did so on their own authority and in violation of official policy," Correction Department spokesman Steve Morello said.

"We continue to investigate," Morello said, adding "appropriate disciplinary action" would be taken if necessary.

Rhymes' next court date for the assault charge is Feb. 20.