A former employee of Eminem's studio faces federal charges for allegedly leaking over 25 unreleased songs by the renowned rapper, prompting a strong response from his team.
Joseph Strange, 46, who worked at Eminem's Ferndale, Michigan studio for 14 years, was charged with criminal infringement of copyright and interstate transportation of stolen goods. The charges stem from the unauthorized sale and distribution of unreleased music created between 1999 and 2018.
"The damage caused by a trusted employee to Eminem's artistic legacy and creative integrity cannot be overstated," the rapper's longtime publicist told PEOPLE, expressing gratitude for the FBI Detroit bureau's investigation.
Strange, who worked at the studio from 2007 to 2021, was one of only four employees with access to hard drives containing the unreleased material. The studio employees contacted the FBI in January after discovering the songs available online.
The investigation revealed that Strange allegedly sold the music through various internet platforms, including Reddit and YouTube. A British fan helped identify Strange after an internet user named "Doja Rat" claimed to have purchased songs from him for $50,000.
During a January 28 FBI search of Strange's Holly, Michigan home, authorities seized hard drives containing the unreleased music, handwritten lyrics, and an unreleased music video.
Strange's attorney stated they would address the matter in court, describing the charges as "untested allegations" that haven't been vetted by a grand jury or judge.
If convicted, Strange could face up to five years in prison for copyright infringement and up to 10 years for interstate transportation of stolen goods, along with potential fines up to $250,000.