Afroman celebrates jury win in police defamation case

A jury found Afroman not liable in a defamation suit brought by seven Adams County sheriff's deputies, and he said he released a satirical song and video about a 2022 raid on his home.

Afroman, the rapper Joseph Foreman, celebrated after a jury cleared him in a defamation lawsuit filed by seven officers from the Adams County Sheriff's Department. The officers had sued over a music video he released that used surveillance footage and a satirical song about a 2022 raid on his home. He told CBS Mornings and posted on Instagram that the song was a peaceful way to address the raid and to raise money for property repairs. The lawsuit, filed in 2023, included 13 claims and a demand for $3.9 million in damages. Key facts: - A jury found Afroman not liable on all 13 claims brought by seven Adams County sheriff's deputies. - Afroman says deputies raided his home in 2022, broke down a door, caused property damage, and his children were present and held at gunpoint. - He released the satirical song "Lemon Pound Cake" and a December 2022 music video that included home surveillance footage of the search. - The deputies sued in 2023 alleging defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress and sought $3.9 million in damages. - Robert Klingler, the officers' attorney, said the rapper lied about the deputies; PEOPLE sought comment but did not immediately receive a response. Summary: The ruling leaves Afroman without legal liability in the suit and has been presented by him as a defense of freedom of speech; he celebrated outside the Ohio courtroom and in media remarks. Undetermined at this time.