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Graffiti Artist Being Sued by City Attorney Arrested After LAT Runs Profile
Photo by ˜db˜ via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
Local graffiti artist Cristian Gheorghiu, known by his "tag" name "Smear," was arrested yesterday after Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies conducted a search of his home on Tuesday. Gheorghiu is the focus of a unique injunction being sought by City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, who wants to bar the artist from selling his artwork that bears his tagging name.Deputies "seized markers, stickers, wheat-paste posters, art prints and a copy of Tuesday's Times," from inside Gheorghiu's East Hollywood home, reports LA Now. The newspaper included a profile of Gheorghiu. The artist says they also took his computer and some of his artwork.
Gheorghiu was not at his home during Tuesday's search, but "was ordered to surrender to deputies for an alleged probation violation related to possession of vandalism tools." His attorney "said deputies told him they planned to show that Gheorghiu's possession of graffiti tools was a violation of his probation and also merited new charges."
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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