‘Black Ink Crew’ Star Van Johnson Claims He's Being Threatened Over 'CHICAGorilla' Fashion Logo
By TheBlast Staff on August 27, 2018 at 4:19 AM EDT
One of the stars of 'Black Ink Crew: Chicago' is about to make his mark on a guy who claims the reality star jacked his logo because the two are now locked in a legal battle.
Van Johnson filed courts documents against brothers Faheem and Falaah Shabazz for slander, assault and interference with a business.
Johnson actually claims he got into business with another brother for the Shabazz duo, Suraqah, and they launched the CHICAGOrilla urban fashion line. Johnson and Suraqah worked together for some time, but then the partnership dissolved and Johnson kept going with the clothing line solo.
Cut to Johnson getting cast on "Black Ink Crew" and using the logo on the show to help promote the clothing line. Earlier this year, Viacom informed Johnson that they received a legal letter from the Shabazz bros, claiming they own the rights to the CHICAGOrilla logo design and could not air it on the VH1 reality series without paying.
Turns out that Suraqah's brothers stepped in to send legal letters once they realized their brother's design had lucrative potential.
Johnson says he is now in "legitimate fear" for his safety after an ominous call warned him to "watch his back" because "they were coming for him."
The tattoo artist also says the brothers Shabazz have cost his money by losing deals and his reputation has been affected by the false statements. He is suing for unspecified damages.
