Friday, July 25, 2008
50 Cent is out to get his "cheese" from Taco Bell after he claims they
falsely tied him to a promotion that he didn't wish to be apart of.
Mr. Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent says in a federal lawsuit filed
Wednesday that the Mexican-themed chain features him in a print ad
asking him to change his name to 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent.
Fifty's court papers say the ad is part of Taco Bell's "Why Pay More?"
campaign, which promotes items for under a dollar, including
Cinnamon Twists for 79 cents, Crunchy Tacos for 89 cents and
Bean Burritos for 99 cents. The papers say the Irvine, Calif.-based
company sent a bogus letter requesting the name change to the
news media but not to the rapper.
The rapper's lawyer, Peter D. Raymond, said his client didn't learn
about the letter or that he was featured in the ad campaign until he
saw a news report about it. Raymond said his client is seeking $4
million in damages.
Taco Bell Corp. spokesman Rob Poetsch issued a statement saying:
"We made a good faith, charitable offer to 50 Cent to change his
name to either 79, 89 or 99 Cent for one day by rapping his order
at a Taco Bell, and we would have been very pleased to make the
$10,000 donation to the charity of his choice.