Shepard Fairey pleads guilty to vandalism charges

L.A. Street artist Shepard Fairey, widely praised for his Obama "Hope" poster, pleaded guilty to charges of defacing and destruction of property in a Boston court this week and received a sentence of two years probation, as part of a plea arrangement with prosecutors. Fairey was also ordered to pay $2,000 for graffiti removal and barred from possessing tagging materials unless they were being used for legal art installations. The 39-year old artist, who was originally charged with nearly 30 vandalism-related crimes, issued a public apology to the citizens of Boston for "posting my art in unauthorized spaces without the consent of the owner."