Artist Behind Obama ‘HOPE’ Poster Pleads Guilty to Criminal Contempt in NYC
- Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:48pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
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NEW YORK (The Blaze/AP) — The creator of the Barack Obama “HOPE” poster pleaded guilty Friday to criminal contempt, saying he made a “terrible decision” in 2009 to destroy some documents and fabricate others in a civil lawsuit pertaining to The Associated Press photograph he relied upon to make the poster.
Shepard Fairey entered the plea in federal court to the misdemeanor charge, which carries a maximum potential penalty of up to six months in prison. Sentencing was set for July 16.
“Violating the court’s trust was the worst thing I have ever done in my life,” said Fairey, 42, of Los Angeles. “I was ashamed as I did all these things, and I remain ashamed.”
The criminal case originated after the artist acknowledged he had fabricated information in a lawsuit he brought against the AP in February 2009. The lawsuit sought a court declaration that he did not violate AP’s copyrights when he made the Obama image. The AP countersued, saying the uncredited, uncompensated use of its picture both violated copyright laws and was a threat to journalism.
That case was settled last year.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement Friday that Fairey “went to extreme lengths to obtain an unfair and illegal advantage in his civil litigation, creating fake documents and destroying others in an effort to subvert the civil discovery process.”
“The justice system — civil and criminal — depends on the integrity of lawyers and non-lawyers alike to follow the rules,” Bharara said. “Those who break the rules risk sanctions, including, in certain cases, criminal prosecution.”
Fairey told Magistrate Judge Frank Maas that when he created the Obama poster in January 2008, he believed he was basing it on a cropped version of a photograph he had seen of the then-Illinois senator with actor George Clooney in front of an American flag at a public event. He said it was only a few days after his lawsuit was filed, when he saw a blog comparing the Clooney picture with another AP photograph, that he realized the image he had used was a different AP picture of Obama taken at the same event.
He said that before meeting with his lawyers six weeks later, he deleted the files showing he had used the Obama photo that did not include Clooney and printed documents to make it appear that he had used the picture with Clooney in it.
“I showed my lawyers the fake documents as I described my artistic process and told them that I had used the Clooney photo as a reference for the Obama ‘HOPE’ poster,” Fairey said.
“I was and am ashamed that I had done these things, and I knew I should have corrected my actions, but as time passed I found it more and more difficult to admit my actions,” he said.
He said he continued to hide the truth for months, even arranging for a witness to support his false claim in a deposition with lawyers, before one of his employees searching for documents for his attorneys came across the files he thought he had deleted.
“I immediately confessed what I had done to my lawyers, and then to my wife, employees and friends,” he said. “Days later, I authorized my lawyers to write a letter to the court and the AP explaining what I had done.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel W. Levy told the judge that the government plans to ask for “some term of imprisonment” at sentencing.
Maas rejected the government’s request that bail be set at $100,000 for Fairey, finding that he could be released on his own recognizance because the risk that he would flee was “extraordinarily low.”
The AP and Fairey announced last year that they had settled their copyright infringement claims against each other and would work together in projects using the news agency’s pictures. Fairey agreed not to use another AP photograph in his work without obtaining a license, and the two sides agreed to share the profits of posters and merchandise bearing the “HOPE” image. The two sides also reached a financial settlement, the terms of which were not disclosed.
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Comments (81)
elvisroy0000
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 10:31pmHopeless Change For Real Change and hope vote Newt Gingrich 2012 we al Know Obama is Socialist lets work to get him out and back to ambulance chasing
Report Post »WeDontNeedNoSteenkinBadges12
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 11:12pm“Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel W. Levy told the judge that the government plans to ask for “some term of imprisonment” at sentencing.”
What? “The government” wants to kidnap a man for stealing (instead of having him restore what he took from the rightful owner, plus 3x to 5x penalty)?
Report Post »WE THE PEOPLE need no further evidence that this so called “justice system” is completely up-side-down and, in fact, criminal itself. When the Almighty Judge lets the U.S.A. come crashing down, it will be for cause.
joe conservative
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 11:54pmThat’s too bad. Lol. He should get 30 to life for aiding and abetting in the election of the worst President we’ve ever had. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1oDqfTl3KA
Report Post »db321
Posted on February 25, 2012 at 4:52amCan we just find one supporter of Obama that has one once of decency.
Report Post »Obama Been Lauding
Posted on February 25, 2012 at 6:17amThe artist left out 3 letters on the poster I see!!! “ive”
Report Post »Obama is a Progressive!!!
The question I have is: What is he wanting to “Progress” towards???
His actions, and words, have told everyone!!!!
“Socialism”!!!
MYHEROISRON
Posted on February 25, 2012 at 6:37amWell, I’m convinced. Convinced that everyone who has anything to do with OBAMMY is corrupt. Ya have to be! It’s the only way they will let ya stick around!
Report Post »000degrees
Posted on February 25, 2012 at 1:36pmMore officials acting stupidly
Report Post »2theADDLED
Posted on February 25, 2012 at 4:07pmGuilt by association.
Report Post »neverending
Posted on February 25, 2012 at 9:13pm@DB321 – my thoughts exactly!!! I doubt there will ever be one.
Report Post »Pigpen
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 10:31pmAh, the peaceful, artistic HIPPIES and their AK-47′s… I hope that Presiden Hussein finally busts the US Sugar Growers’ Lobby and saves CUBA in the process! Viva La Revolucion! (Look it up if it sounds like a non-sequitur, you dumb *******)
Report Post »Pigpen
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 10:32pmOh, WOW, theBlaze has finally BLEEPED out the word CR@CK3R ??? Sad, just sad you poor, demented, h******.
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 10:24pmHas Barry ever said anything about having Stalinist propaganda art tied to him?
Report Post »applehill
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 10:16pmSo the socialist way didn’t workout and they settled the old capitalist way… With money for both and a agreement.
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:50pmPaint by numbers propaganda.
Report Post »Miami
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:48pmSay it ain’t so,
Obama’s supporters show no respect for the law? Nah it just can’t be true?
Well on the other hand, Obama shows no respect for the law, nor does our justice department. Now there’s your hope and change….
Report Post »POdVet
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:35pmSo now the “impartial” AP is directly profiting from sales of pro Obama posters? Gee and I wondered why they kissed his behind so much. Nothing quite like blatantly selling out your last bit of integrity AP!
Report Post »rickroland
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:21pmWhy am I not surprised?
Report Post »Kathleen3
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:19pmI’m surprised the AP sued Fairey. After all, they both have the same bosses – Soros and Obama.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 10:32pmEven dogs will fight each other over scraps.
Report Post »angelcat
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:09pmTypical Obama supporter.
Report Post »Do you think he will be offered a czar position or perhaps an ambassadorship?
RJJinGadsden
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:14pmHopefully he will get out of prison in time to help them pack.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:07pmI love it when one bunch of super lefties bashes another idiot lefty! Will get a big laugh when the OWS loons start attacking each other.
Report Post »marthasusan40
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:04pmThis will go down in history as the most corrupt Administration to ever reside in the White House. I am not a bit surprised that it was founded on a lie…………
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:04pmBirds of the feather flock together.. just another thug whom our President knows.. Whats new??
Report Post »strawberry411a
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:00pmEverything…absolutely EVERYTHING associated with Obama is corrupted. If you had to plan a course of action to destroy a country, everything this “president” is doing is accomplishing that goal. And we sit by and watch silently.
Report Post »TexBork
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:56pmHe’s an Obama supporter…
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:03pmhe should really apoligize for the communist poster
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:53pm1st the person who painted the Hope painting is convicted…. now how about the person in the Hope painting?
Report Post »raderby
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:48pmjudge roy bean………
Report Post »R.A. Bullseye
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:42pmHe’s an anti-capitalist capitalist.
Report Post »jhaydeng
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:47pmoxymoron!
Report Post »crichton
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:37pmThis illustrates that hope based on a lie is false hope.
Report Post »annie1
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:36pmHe wasn’t ashamed when TMZ filmed him yelling at his wife in an airport. Class act! He makes a poster for the Occupy Wall Street jerks. He just keeps on designing t-shirts for the OBEY clothing line that tons of kids are wearing so he can spread his philosophy and make money. So if you see any merchandise with OBEY on it – don’t buy it.
Report Post »D.J.V.
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:43pmI‘m surprised he buys into all of Obama’s B.S. His clothing lines most popular line is OBEY Propaganda. It’s a line full of satire telling people to think for themselves when in fact he is just another useful idiot. Wish I would have done more research on him before I purchased his shirts.
Report Post »geonj
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:30pmno liberal judge will send him to jail.
Report Post »flsnipe
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:18pmMom always said, if you want to see who someone is look at their friends.
Report Post »gyroone
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:25pmYour mom was corect
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:05pmanother democRAT without any morals
( and yes im aware of reps without morals too, i just like them more than you )
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:04pmIn trouble with his own god; how funny.
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:28pmThere’s a lot to his name. “Shepard Fairey”.
I almost fell out of my chair.
Report Post »Marci
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:02pmHe is ashamed? No he is ashamed he got caught trying to cover it all up. Anyone who goes to the lengths he did to cover it up is not really all that ashamed.
Report Post »