Long Island Artist Sues Martin Shkreli Over Wu-Tang Album
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A Long Island artist has sued ex-pharmaceutical CEO Martin Shkreli and others over use of his art in a Wu-Tang Clan album.
Artist Jason Koza says portraits of members of the New York-based hip-hop group he put on a fan blog were used without authorization on an album Shkreli bought for $2 million. The lawsuit in Manhattan federal court Tuesday comes after Shkreli pleaded not guilty to securities fraud charges in Brooklyn federal court.
Koza, of Copiague, New York, says he never authorized use of the portraits in the packaging of the album titled "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin."
He seeks unspecified damages from Shkreli, a Wu-Tang leader, a music producer and the album's auctioneer.
Shkreli attorney Benjamin Brafman declined comment. Other defendants did not immediately comment.
Last week, Shkreli infuriated lawmakers on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee by refusing to testify why he hiked the price of a potentially life-saving drug by more than 5,000 percent.
Shkreli appeared to smirk throughout his hour-long appearance. Four times the brash entrepreneur and former hedge fund manager intoned before the committee, "On the advice of counsel I invoke my Fifth amendment privilege against self-incrimination and respectfully decline to answer your question."
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