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Eminem Rep Makes Rare Statement After Ex-Employee Is Charged with Leaking Unreleased Music: Damage 'Cannot Be Overstated'

A former employee of rapper Eminem has been charged in connection with the leaking of more than 25 of the rapper's unreleased songs. Joseph Strange was charged with criminal infringement of a copyright and interstate transportation of stolen goods in connection with the sale of unreleased music on Wednesday, March 19.

“Eminem and his team are very appreciative of the efforts by the FBI Detroit bureau for its thorough investigation which led to the charges against Joe Strange,” a longtime publicist for the star tells PEOPLE. “The significant damage caused by a trusted employee to Eminem's artistic legacy and creative integrity cannot be overstated, let alone the enormous financial losses incurred by the many creators and collaborators that deserve protection for their decades of work. “We will handle the matter in a courtroom and we have great faith in the judges of our district,” Strange’s attorney, who did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment, told the Associated Press.

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