Feds Want Insane Clown Posse Lawsuit Tossed

Feds Hate The ICP Lawsuit
Joseph Utsler aka Shaggy 2 Dope, right, and Joseph Bruce aka Violent J, left, members of the Insane Clown Posse are seen during a news conference 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)
Joseph Utsler aka Shaggy 2 Dope, right, and Joseph Bruce aka Violent J, left, members of the Insane Clown Posse are seen during a news conference 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)

DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department is asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit by Insane Clown Posse, which objects to a report that describes its fans as a dangerous gang.

The government says the rap-metal duo from the Detroit area and its fans have no standing to sue. It also says it's not liable for any problems caused by law enforcement groups that might use information in the 2011 FBI report.

A Detroit federal judge holds a hearing Monday.

The lawsuit says the gang designation violates rights of free speech and due process. Joseph Bruce, known as Violent J, and Joseph Utsler, known as Shaggy 2 Dope, say they're losing fans because of the report.

They say their fans, known as Juggalos, are like a family, not a gang.

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