Joseph Bruce aka Violent J, left, and Joseph Utsler aka Shaggy 2 Dope, members of the Insane Clown Posse address the media in Detroit, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014. The rap metal group sued the U.S. Justice Department on Wednesday over a 2011 FBI report that describes the duo's devoted fans, the Juggalos, as a dangerous gang, saying the designation has tarnished their fans' reputations and hurt business. The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit in Detroit federal court on behalf of the group's two members. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
January 08, 2014 - 9:05 AM
DETROIT - The Insane Clown Posse is suing the U.S. Justice Department over a 2011 FBI report that depicts the rap-metal duo's devoted fans, the Juggalos, as a dangerous gang.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit Wednesday in federal court on behalf of the group's two members, Joseph Bruce, or Violent J, and Joseph Utsler, or Shaggy 2 Dope. It also names four fans as plaintiffs.
The lawsuit contends that the description of the Juggalos as a "loosely organized hybrid gang" in a national report on gangs violated the plaintiffs' rights. The group says its fans are a family, not a gang.
Scott Gandy, one of the four fans suing, says he was forced to remove Insane Clown Posse tattoos to apply for the Army.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014