Washington: The US artist, who had cribbed a copyright photo for his iconic "HOPE" poster for President Barack Obama's 2008 campaign, has reportedly escaped a jail sentence.
Artist Shepard Fairey was accused of destroying documents and manufacturing fake evidence in a civil suit over the image.
Instead, he was sentenced to two years of probation, 300 hours of community service and a 25,000 dollar fine, the New York Post reports.
A US judge cited judge Fairey's history of "extensive charitable works" and his ongoing battle against Type 1 diabetes, which Fairey's lawyer said had forced him to undergo two eye surgeries and couldn't be properly treated in the slammer.
Earlier, Fairey offered apologies to The Associated Press, whose photo he had ripped off, along with the court, his family and friends, and "anyone else I might have harmed,” after pleading guilty to criminal contempt.
Fairey said that "violating the court's trust" during his legal fight with the AP, which he settled for 1.6 million dollars, “was the worst thing I've ever done in my life.”
"I'm deeply ashamed and remorseful that I didn't live up to my own standards of honesty and integrity," he added.
ANI
First Published: Saturday, September 08, 2012, 17:47