Shepard Fairey Pleads Guilty, Will Pay To Have Graffiti Removed

July 10, 2009

Shepard Fairey, the “Obama” poster artist, has pled guilty to three charges of vandalism and been sentenced to probation by a Boston (Mass.) judge. Prosecutors agreed to drop other charges. He has agreed to pay to have graffiti removed from property.

Mr. Fairey said the following in a statement of apology: “I believe in the importance of making art accessible through many avenues, and I will continue to advocate the use of legal public spaces for meaningful artistic expression and communication. Freedom expression is the bedrock of our democracy. However, I also believe it is important that people respect private property and do not use it without the authorization of the owner.”