Joseph Strange, who previously worked as a sound engineer for renowned rapper Eminem, has been accused of stealing the rapper’s unreleased music and selling it for Bitcoin (BTC), the leading cryptocurrency in the market.
The charges, outlined in a criminal complaint filed in Michigan, indicate that Strange is alleged to have sold 25 incomplete tracks to a buyer from Canada for around $50,000 in cryptocurrency.
Selling Unreleased Music for Bitcoin
Federal prosecutors state that Strange, 46, was employed by Eminem from 2007 to 2021 at Effigy, the rapper’s recording studio based in Michigan. Prosecutors assert that he “illegally” took the unreleased tracks and, after connecting with a man online, orchestrated the sale for Bitcoin.
According to the complaint, personnel at Effigy found some of the stolen tracks being distributed on various online platforms, such as YouTube and Reddit, which led to an FBI investigation.
Wade Fink, Strange’s attorney, pointed out that a criminal complaint consists of allegations that have not yet been proven in court. “It’s crucial for individuals to recognize that a criminal complaint is simply a collection of claims authorized by a prosecutor and made public via press release,” he remarked, emphasizing the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
A representative for Eminem expressed significant concern about the situation, noting the considerable damage inflicted on the rapper’s artistic legacy and the financial implications for those involved in the creative process.
“The tremendous financial losses experienced by the numerous creators and collaborators who deserve protection for their years of work cannot be emphasized enough,” the spokesperson stated.
Copyright Violations and Stolen Property
Strange is confronting serious charges, including copyright infringement and interstate transportation of stolen goods. If found guilty of copyright infringement, he faces a maximum of five years in prison and fines of up to $250,000. The charges related to interstate transportation could lead to a maximum of ten years in prison.
Interestingly, the probe uncovered that Strange was “deeply involved” in Bitcoin and cryptocurrency mining. Witnesses have suggested that he insisted on being paid exclusively in Bitcoin, adding further complexity to the case.
This is not the first instance of Eminem encountering issues with music leaks. In 2002, unauthorized tracks from his album “The Eminem Show” were sold online prior to their official release, prompting the rapper to hasten the album’s launch to mitigate financial losses.
At present, Bitcoin is trading around $84,139, reflecting a 14% decline over the month following last month’s significant market sell-off.
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