Lil' Kim's Ex Faces Death Penalty

A former boyfriend of rapper Lil' Kim is facing the death penalty over claims he ordered the execution of an alleged drug-trafficking rival.

The U.s. Justice Department gave New York prosecutors the go-ahead to seek the death penalty against Damion Hardy.

The 33-year-old, the reputed leader of murderous gang called Cash Money Brothers, faces the lethal injection if convicted of ordering the execution of rival Ivory Davis - a hit that also left an innocent bystander dead.

Hardy, who has served time for shooting at New York police, was indicted on murder charges in 2005 - but it's the U.s. attorney general who ultimately decides to pursue the federal death penalty.

Hardy and Lil' Kim once lived together in her New Jersey mansion.