The Jewish Defence League (JDL) was investigated over the use of death threats to extort money from US rap stars, according to files recently released on the FBI website.

A 1997 FBI report into the still unsolved murder of rapper Tupac Shakur, released under a freedom of information request, alleged that the "JDL, and others yet to be identified, have been extorting money from various rap music stars via death threats."

The report alleges the JDL would contact the victim offering protection after making threats. The FBI did not implicate the JDL in the murder of Shakur, who was gunned down in Las Vegas in 1996.However, it did take seriously allegations that Shakur and another rap star, Eazy-E, were extorted by the JDL. A two-and-a-half year FBI probe into the JDL's activities was closed in 1999 because of insufficient evidence.

The JDL could not be contacted for comment.