Rapper Joseph Foreman, known as Afroman, has won a legal battle against deputies from an Ohio sheriff’s office in a defamation and privacy lawsuit, according to WCPO Channel 9 report. A jury sided with the 51-year-old musician on Wednesday, ending the case in his favour.
The lawsuit was filed by seven members of the Adams County Sheriff’s Department after a raid on the rapper’s house and a song he wrote afterward called “Lemon Pound Cake”. They claimed that Afroman, whose real name is Joseph Edgar Foreman, used their likenesses without permission in music videos and merchandise. They also alleged that he made false statements about them following a raid on his home in August 2022.
Afroman testified during the trial, saying that his lyrics and videos were protected under free speech.
“In all circumstances, the jury finds in favor of the defendant. No plaintiff verdict prevailed. So the matter will be concluded with defense verdicts,” said Judge Jonathan P Hein, who presided over the case.
What Did Deputies Claim?
During the trial, deputies said Afroman’s content caused them personal and emotional harm. Randolph L Walters Jr, a deputy involved in the lawsuit, told the court, “It’s caused tremendous pain in my life.”
He said some lyrics falsely suggested his wife was cheating on him with Afroman. “Yes, that my wife is cheating on me with (Afroman),” Walters added.
One of the officers in the lawsuit, Lisa Phillips, cried in court when the music video for Afroman’s song “Licc’em Low Lisa” was played. Lisa was part of the 2022 raid on Afroman’s home, which the rapper said caused damage. The police searched for drugs but found nothing.
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Afroman then made several songs about the officers involved, including Lisa Phillips, Brian Newland, Randy Walters, Shawn Grooms, Shawn Cooley, Justin Cooley, and Mike Estep. The main issue was the “Lemon Pound Cake” video, which used security footage from the raid.
The deputies sued him for emotional distress, defamation, and invasion of privacy. Afroman said the raid was their fault and that his songs are protected as artistic expression under the First Amendment.
The trial began on March 16 at Adams County Common Pleas Court in Ohio.
Afroman said that his videos, songs, and merchandise were protected forms of expression. He told the court that he did not intend to harm anyone personally. “I was in the right,” Afroman said.
The jury agreed with Afroman, giving him a complete victory in the case. The decision closes the lawsuit and affirms that his content did not constitute defamation under the law.
