Ex-publicist sues Insane Clown Posse

Brian McCollum | Detroit Free Press

DETROIT -- Insane Clown Posse's former publicist has sued the Detroit rap group and its record label, citing "a consistent culture of sexism and sexual harassment."

Andrea (Andy) Pellegrini, 32, filed suit Monday in Oakland County Circuit Court in Michigan, alleging wrongful termination, harassment, retaliation and infliction of emotional distress during her three-year employment with ICP's Psychopathic Records.

Pellegrini's 17-page complaint claims she was subject to sexual advances and bullying by colleagues, and that she was given a sex toy by a fellow employee who learned she was single. Pellegrini, a licensed attorney, alleges that she was asked to perform legal work she considered unethical.

The suit describes her experience in 2012 at the Gathering of the Juggalos, an annual concert held in Illinois, as "a living hell," including being relegated to using bathrooms "often full with naked male strangers."

In addition to Psychopathic Records and ICP members Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, group manager William Dale and label employee Dan Diamond are named as defendants.

Pellegrini was employed as ICP's in-house publicist from July 2009 to November 2012 at the group's Farmington Hills, Mich., headquarters.

Pellegrini's attorney, Jonathan Marko, contends she was fired after she escalated reports of harassment to supervisors.

"She was an optimist, hoping things would get better," said Marko. "They got worse."

Howard Hertz, an attorney for Pyschopathic and ICP, said Tuesday: "The allegations are untrue. Ms. Pellegrini was terminated for poor job performance. I can't comment further because the matter is in litigation."