Former Eminem Employee Pleads Guilty to Stealing and Selling Unreleased Music
Photo: Washington TimesJoseph Strange, a 48-year-old former employee of rapper Eminem, pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Michigan, the Justice Department announced Thursday. He worked for Eminem in Detroit from 2007 to 2021, and the plea came 18 months after his arrest. According to a criminal complaint, Eminem learned in January 2025 that unreleased music of his had leaked online and was being sold. The FBI was contacted, and buyers who had purchased the material identified Strange as the seller. He was charged in March 2025 and pleaded guilty to criminal infringement of copyright. Justice Department official A. Tysen Duva said Strange abused a position of trust to copy and sell music not yet authorized for release.
Washington Times, in a brief excerpt, reports only the guilty plea to stealing and selling the songs. Billboard stresses that Strange worked at Eminem's Michigan studio for nearly 15 years and admitted being the source of the leak, while Variety, also alternative, details the March 2025 charges. Left-leaning Rolling Stone leads with the Justice Department announcement and features the official's statement. All sources agree on the plea and the leaked material.
How the sides differ Right sources report only the guilty plea; alternative sources stress the studio tenure and charges; left sources lead with the Justice Department statement.
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Leads with the Justice Department announcement, featuring the official statement and the FBI investigation that identified the seller.
Billboard focuses on Strange's nearly 15-year studio role and his admission; Variety focuses on the March 2025 charges and the copyright plea.
The brief excerpt reports only that the former employee pleaded guilty to stealing and selling the rapper's unreleased songs.