‘Hope’ artist Shepard Fairey under criminal investigation

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A judge disclosed for the first time that the artist known for his iconic “Hope” poster with Barack Obama’s image was under criminal investigation. Details were not divulged.

A grand jury began an investigation after Shepard Fairey said he erred about which Associated Press photo he had used as the basis for the poster and that he had submitted false images and deleted other images to conceal his mistake.

The disclosure came during a hearing today regarding Fairey’s request for a six-month delay in the copyright case he brought against the AP.

Judge Alvin Hellerstein denied the request, saying a delay would cause the AP irreparable damage, but said that Fairey could refuse to answer questions because of the criminal investigation.

-- Associated Press