Afroman Speaks Out After Victory in Police Defamation Case Linked to Music Video: 'They Did Me Wrong'

Afroman was found not liable in a defamation lawsuit filed by seven Adams County sheriff's deputies

NEED TO KNOW

• The rapper released a satirical song and used footage of a 2022 police raid on his Ohio home in the music video

• Afroman says the song was a peaceful way to address the raid and raise money for property damages

Afromanis celebrating after a jury ruled in his favor in thedefamation lawsuitfiled by seven officers from the Adams County Sheriff Department.

The 51-year-old rapper, best known for his hit "Because I Got High," spoke out onCBS Morningsafter he was found not liable on any of the 13 claims made by the deputies.

"[My victory], it's not only for artists, it's for Americans," he shared on Thursday, March 19. "We have freedom of speech. They did me wrong and sued me because I was talking about it. It's 'for the people, by the people,' so when the people can't use their freedom of speech — bring up the problem, address the problem — then the problem never gets solved."

He also took to Instagram after the ruling, celebrating outside of the Ohio courtroom on Wednesday.

"We did it, America! Yeah, we did it!" Afroman, whose real name is Joseph Foreman, cheered along with fans in the clip. "Freedom of Speech! Right on, right on! God bless America. Power to the people!"

In 2022, Adams County sheriffs raided Afroman's Adams County home, breaking down a door and causing property damage and holding his children, then 10 and 12, at gunpoint. Afroman later released the satirical song "Lemon Pound Cake" set to the tune of "(Sittin' on the) Dock of the Bay."

"The Adams County Sheriff kicked down my door, then I heard the glass break," he sang. "They found no kidnapping victims, just some lemon pound cake. Mama's lemon pound cake, it tastes so nice, it made the sheriff wanna put down his gun and cut him a slice."

In the music video, which Afroman released on Dec. 2022, he shared surveillance footage of the Adams County sheriffs searching his home. In 2023 seven officers with the sheriff's office sued Afroman for the music video, saying it defamed them and was an intentional infliction of emotional distress. They demanded $3.9 million in damages.

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"I posted it because the sheriffs never were supposed to have raided my house in the first place,"Afroman testifiedon March 18. "If they hadn't wrongly raided my house, there would be no lawsuit. I wouldn't know their names. They wouldn't be on my home surveillance system and there would be no songs, my money would still be intact, nothing, so all of this is their fault."

He further claimed that he released the song as a way to raise money to pay off the damages the officers inflicted on his home.

"Tearing down my door, not paying for it, not being apologetic, me being a sport, doing something peaceful to raise the money to pay for their damages, me having freedom of speech as an American to talk to my family, friends and fans about what the sheriffs did to my home, yes, I have the right to my freedom of speech," he added in his testimony. "After they left, I had the right to kick the can and to do what I had to do to repair the damage they brought to my house, yes, I did."

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Afroman has continued to post videos naming the officers involved and making a series of claims about them and their personal lives.

The attorney representing the officers, Robert Klingler, condemned the rapper, claiming he lied about "these seven brave deputy sheriffs," per theAssociated Press.

"Even if somebody does something to you that hurts you, that you think is wrong — like a search warrant execution that you think is unfair ... that doesn't justify telling intentional lies designed to hurt people," he argued.

PEOPLE reached out to Klingler for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

Read the original article onPeople

byCosmopolite

in

March 19, 2026

Afroman Speaks Out After Victory in Police Defamation Case Linked to Music Video: 'They Did Me Wrong'

Afroman was found not liable in a defamation lawsuit filed by seven Adams County sheriff's deputies NEED ...

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Colin Jost reveals his pick for the best cold open in “Saturday Night Live” history

Colin Jost looks back at 51 seasons of Saturday Night Live to pick his favorite cold open of all time.

Key Points

• On the inaugural episode of SNL's new short-form series The Rundown, the "Weekend Update" anchor chose 2008's sketch pitting Tina Fey's Sarah Palin against Amy Poehler's Katie Couric.

• "It's nostalgic for me, because it was early on for me as a writer," Jost explained. "It was just a great combination of [Seth Meyers] and Tina and Amy together — you got to see them playing off each other. I think they're two of the best to ever do it."

How do you boil 51 years ofSaturday Night Livehistory down to a single sketch?Colin Jostmanaged, but it wasn't easy.

Jost has been withSNLa whopping 12 years, moving from writer to writing supervisor to co-head writer, before teaming up with Michael Che to anchor the comedic news program "Weekend Update."

He marshaled that experience as the inaugural guest onSNL's new short-form seriesThe Rundown, which prompted him to sift through 51 years of cold opens — a good many of which he helped write — to make his pick for the very best. He ultimately landed on an "iconic" sketch featuring two of his predecessors at "Weekend Update."

"If I'm making a rundown and I'm picking a cold open, the Katie Couric–Sarah Palin interview, I think, I would put in here," Jost declared.

He's talking about the now-classic spoof of the infamous interview between Couric, a veteran broadcast journalist and Palin, the Republican Vice Presidential hopeful in the 2008 presidential election.Amy Poehlerstepped in for Couric, while her "Weekend Update" buddyTina Feystruck generational comedy cold with her lacerating portrayal of Palin.

The no-frills sketch featuring a single, dexterously-crafted conversation between Couric and Palin opened the season 34's third episode in 2008, which was hosted by Anna Faris.

"It's nostalgic for me, because it was early on for me as a writer," Jost explained. "[Seth Meyers] wrote it. I'm sure Tina and Amy also helped on it. It was just a great combination of Seth and Tina and Amy together — you got to see them playing off each other. I think they're two of the best to ever do it. There were so many iconic things that came out of it. So to me, that's my pick, based on both nostalgia, and I think it holds up in the whole history of the show as one of the best."

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Fey's run as Palin in various sketches throughout the long 2008 presidential campaign cemented her status as one ofSNL's all-time greatest. The season 34-opener "Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton Address the Nation," which cast Poehler as the former Secretary of State,rankedon two differentEntertainment Weeklylists ofbest-everSNLsketches.

But Jost also looked beyond his perspective as a member of teamSNLto pick runner-ups.

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"As a viewer, I remember also loving 'Not Going to Phone It in Tonight,' that Steve Martin song," Jost shared, pointing to the cold open from the season 17, episode 9 in 1991.

Then there's "Wolverines," the very first cold open from 1975's series premiere which features Michael O'Donoghue giving John Belushi an absurd English lesson.

"I always wished we could go back to that more," Jost explained. "I always wished we could have some cold opens that were just short and one idea and a funny performance."

SNLis in the midst of its 51st season, but is taking time off this weekend to focus on this Saturday's premiere of the series' new U.K. spinoff. Fey will hostthe first episode.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byCosmopolite

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March 19, 2026

Colin Jost reveals his pick for the best cold open in “Saturday Night Live” history

Colin Jost looks back at 51 seasons of Saturday Night Live to pick his favorite cold open of all time. Key Po...

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Shia LaBeouf Seen in Rome Hotel Lobby in Only His Underwear After New Orleans Arrest

Shia LaBeouf was seen in a hotel lobby in Rome, Italy, wearing only his underwear, weeks after his New Orleans arrest

NEED TO KNOW

• In a February court hearing, the actor was ordered to undergo substance abuse treatment and drug testing as conditions of his release

• LaBeouf faces multiple misdemeanor battery charges stemming from alleged altercations during Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans

Shia LaBeoufhas been spotted in a hotel lobby in Rome, Italy, wearing only his underwear four weeks after his arrest in New Orleans.

In avideo obtained by TMZon March 17, a shirtless and barefoot LaBeouf, 39, can be seen in just his boxers as he tries to bum a light for a cigarette he has dangling in his mouth.

"C'mon, bro... give me a f---king match. You got a match?" LaBeouf can be heard saying to those in the lobby with him. A woman in a green T-shirt then turns away, while the concierge behind the desk looks down.

PEOPLE has reached out to both a rep for LaBeouf and his attorney for comment.

In a February hearing related to his arrest in New Orleans,LaBeoufwas ordered to enroll in substance abuse treatment, undergo drug testing and post a $100,000 bond as conditions of his release.

TheTransformersactor then posted bond following the hearing and remains out of custody under the new terms.

During hisinitial Feb. 17 arrest,LaBeouf was taken into custody on two counts of misdemeanor battery following an alleged altercation at Royal Street Inn & R Bar during Mardi Gras festivities.

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Then, on Feb. 28, theHolesactor was arrested and charged with an additional misdemeanor count of simple battery, according to theAssociated PressandThe Guardian.

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One of the alleged victims in the incident, Jeffrey Damnit (born Jeffrey Klein), told PEOPLE that theconfrontation beganaround 5 p.m. on Feb. 16.

He claimed that the actor hurled homophobic slurs at the bar and then, a few hours later, when staff eventually escorted him outside, began "screaming at everybody" and "lunging at" patrons.

Damnit alleged that LaBeouf jumped at him and struck him, knocking him back. He also alleged that the actor punched a bartender in the face and claimed that several people ultimately restrained LaBeouf while waiting for officers.

An initial police report obtained by PEOPLE stated that one alleged victim was struck "in his face with a closed fist, causing his nose to possibly dislocate," and said he "pushed his nose back into place" himself.

LaBeouf's next court appearance is scheduled for March 19.

Read the original article onPeople

byCosmopolite

in

March 19, 2026

Shia LaBeouf Seen in Rome Hotel Lobby in Only His Underwear After New Orleans Arrest

Shia LaBeouf was seen in a hotel lobby in Rome, Italy, wearing only his underwear, weeks after his New Orleans arrest ...

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Expert Warns Prince Harry Not To Let Ex-Prince Andrew Scandal Stop Him

Prince Harryappeared to be pressing ahead with a high-stakes Australia trip even as the Royal Family dealt with fresh turbulence at home. The Duke of Sussex andMeghan Marklewere said to be using the visit to test their next chapter. The journey also came as questions grew around their brand, Netflix ties, and long-term direction. In that context, one expert said Harry should not let the wider family crisis freeze his own plans.

Prince Harry shouldn't let Royal Family's Ex-Prince Andrew 'turmoil' stop him, says expert

As perMirror, PR expert Dermot McNamara said the Sussexes had plenty riding on their Australia visit. He said they were "probably hoping to reignite their global brand in Australia." He also said the trip was "a last chance for them to establish where they fit and where they want to go." Meanwhile, Prince Harry was said to feel a pull back toward public life, especially in a country that had welcomed him warmly before.

Earlier,Harryand Markle toured Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji in 2018 as newlyweds. That 16-day visit also began with their pregnancy announcement. Because of that history, Dermot said the new tour could "cash in on the nostalgia" from their earlier success. He added, "Harry, in particular, probably feels he should get back out there." However, he also said the journey carried "a lot of possibilities but also a lot of risk." Markle's Sydney retreat appearance added another layer, with premium access reportedly priced at £1,700.

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At the same time, theRoyal Familywas dealing with ongoing pressure tied to former Prince Andrew. Dermot acknowledged that reality directly. "The royal family is in turmoil, and as a member of that family, so too is Harry," he said. Still, he pushed back on the idea that Prince Harry should pause everything. Although Dermot admitted the Sussexes' Australia trip is ill-timed, while also adding, "but just because his other family members are embroiled in a scandal, why should Harry put his life on hold?"

In turn, the trip also landed as Markle's "As Ever" brand stood on its own after ending its Netflix partnership. Harry's own path looked less settled after his Sentebale exit. So, the visit seemed designed to show movement, purpose, and a future beyond the family storm.

The postExpert Warns Prince Harry Not To Let Ex-Prince Andrew Scandal Stop Himappeared first onReality Tea.

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March 19, 2026

Expert Warns Prince Harry Not To Let Ex-Prince Andrew Scandal Stop Him

Prince Harryappeared to be pressing ahead with a high-stakes Australia trip even as the Royal Family dealt with fresh turbulence at home. ...

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Why Isn’t Carole Radziwill in “Love Story”? Inside the Producers' Choice to Not Include the “RHONY” Alum

Carole Radziwill was married to John F. Kennedy Jr.'s cousin and best man when he wed Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in 1996

NEED TO KNOW

• Though she previously said she was "unbelievably close" to the late couple, The Real Housewives of New York City alum wasn't featured in the FX series Love Story: John F. Kennedy & Carolyn Bessette

• The show's producer cited creative reasons for her absence, while Radziwill wrote that she was "at peace" with any misrepresentations in the series

ThoughCarole Radziwillwas a part ofJohn F. Kennedy Jr.andCarolyn Bessette Kennedy's real-life love story, she was not featured in FX's limited series about their romance.

The formerReal Housewives of New York Citystar was married toAnthony Radziwillwhen he served as best man during the couple's secret1996 nuptials. They were together until he died in August 1999 from cancer, just three weeks after his cousin, JFK Jr.,died in a plane crashalong with Carolyn and her sister,Lauren.

"[Anthony] sat at the kitchen table and folded his arms to support his head, andthen dropped it down and cried," Carole wrote in her 2005 memoirWhat Remainsof the night they learned their loved ones had died. "It was the first time I'd seen him like that."

Though her husband was portrayed in the 2026 limited seriesLove Story: JFK Jr. & Carolyn Bessetteand played byErich Bergen, Carole was noticeably absent from the show.

Here's everything to know about why Carole Radziwill wasn't inLove Story— and what she thinks about the show's portrayal of the couple's relationship.

Carole was married to JFK Jr.'s cousin and best man

Four years after they met while working at ABC, Carole and Anthony tied the knot. Prior to their August 1994 wedding, he was diagnosed with fibrosarcoma, a potentially fatal form of bone cancer.

The couple were married for five years until Anthony died from cancer at the age of 40 on Aug. 10, 1999. His death occurred just three weeks after JFK Jr. and Carolyn had died in a plane crash on July 16, 1999.

Carole wrote about that tragic time in an essay for theDaily Mailon the 20th anniversary of their death in 2019: "For all the time I'd had to brace myself, prepare for it, Anthony's death, too, still seemed so abrupt and unfair, just like the others. Because ... we just weren't done."

She said she was "unbelievably close" to the couple

TheRHONYalum first met JFK Jr. and Carolyn during a 1992 trip to the Hamptons, where the two couples rented a house together. Though Anthony had always been close to his cousin, Carole said she also became instant friends with Carolyn.

"She was very friendly," Carole recalled in a 2005 interview with PEOPLE. "She came right over to me as though she knew me and put her hand on my shoulder and asked if I had an extra toothbrush."

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JFK Jr. and Carolyn were there for Carole and Anthony as he dealt with his cancer and subsequent treatments. In June 2017, the former reality star and author told PEOPLE that Carolyn "was really there" during the last year of her late husband's life.

"We were all unbelievably close," she toldThe Telegraphin October 2005 of her relationships with JFK Jr., Carolyn and Anthony. "Their deaths brought me to my knees."

Love Storyproducer Brad Simpson said there were "tons of people" they couldn't include

ThoughLove Storychronicled many moments in JFK Jr. and Carolyn's relationship, some of the couple's closest friends weren't mentioned in the series.

In a March 2026 interview withTV Insider, the show's executive producer, Brad Simpson, said that not including Carole in the limited drama was simply a creative decision so that they could focus more on Carolyn's relationship with her sister.

"People's lives are full and rich," Simpson told the outlet. "There's tons of people in them, and you have to make decisions. And a decision we made was to really focus on creating Lauren, her sister, as a character because she was often an afterthought in all of this."

He added that "there were tons of people" who they weren't able to include, saying "we're trying to pack a lot into 43 minutes."

Radziwill wrote that she's "at peace" with any misrepresentations

Though she hasn't publicly commented on her absence from the show, Carole did write about what it's been like to experience the private lives of two of her friends continually dissected and retold in projects likeLove Story.

"Sitting here now, we know how it ended," she wrote in a February 2026 post on herSubstack. "And yet the story keeps being told. Reinvented. Embroidered. Filled with details no one could possibly know, by people who weren't there and don't care about the truth."

Carole added that while she's "at peace with it all now" and no longer worries "about misrepresentations, false narratives, or bent truths," the reality star would not be watching the FX series.

However, Carole encouraged others to watch and "fall in love with them the way we all did back then."

Read the original article onPeople

byCosmopolite

in

March 19, 2026

Why Isn’t Carole Radziwill in “Love Story”? Inside the Producers' Choice to Not Include the “RHONY” Alum

Carole Radziwill was married to John F. Kennedy Jr.'s cousin and best man when he wed Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in 19...

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