San Francisco Blasts Justin Bieber for Illegal Graffiti
Justin Bieber may be in trouble for illegal graffiti, but it’s not what you think. The “Sorry” singer isn’t back to his old ways, however, San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera has a bone to pick with Bieber over spray painted adds promoting his new album.
The promotional street art popped up before Bieber’s Purpose album dropped November 13. More than a month later, remnants of the guerrilla marketing tactics are apparently still stuck on the pavement even after Bay Area rain storms, TMZ reports.
The S.F. Public Works Office has reportedly been getting complaints and Herrera, who has been working on harsher penalties for marketing acts of the kind, wants someone held responsible for the Bieber blunder.
He fired off letters to Bieber’s labels, Universal Music Group and Def Jam Records, on Monday, threatening in part to “aggressively pursue all available penalties and costs for those responsible for lawless marketing tactics that intend to financially benefit your respective companies.”
Of the artwork Herrera wrote, “This prohibited marketing practice illegally exploits our City's walkable neighborhoods and robust tourism; intentionally creates visual distractions that pose risks to pedestrians on busy rights of way; and irresponsibly tells our youth that like-minded lawlessness and contempt for public property are condoned and encouraged by its beneficiaries — including Mr. Bieber and the record labels that produce and promote him.”
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