News

Ozzy Osbourne Upset Over Police Use of His Name

More than 30 North Dakota residents were arrested in connection with a fake Ozzy Osbourne party in Fargo last week, staged by Sheriff Paul Laney in hopes of luring 500 people with outstanding warrants. Unsurprisingly, the Black Sabbath frontman/Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member wasn't happy about the sting once he heard the news.

"Instead of holding a press conference to pat himself on the back, Sheriff Laney should be apologizing to me for using my name in connection with these arrests," Osbourne said in a statement. "It is insulting to me and to my audience and it shows how lazy this particular sheriff is when it comes to doing his job."

Laney responded to Osbourne's outrage on Friday, claiming he was doing his best to serve the community and address a fraction of its nearly 3,000 outstanding warrants.

"We meant no disrespect toward Mr. Osbourne or his show," Laney said. "What we did was a very creative law enforcement technique to lure individuals who had active criminal warrants to come to us."

Referring to the sting's success, he added, "Three people called to say, 'I got one of those letters. Since you're being so creative, I'm turning myself in. Give me a court date.'"

Osbourne was in town for his tour with Rob Zombie at the time of the arrests.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
11.06.07