George Zimmerman could find himself caught up in another legal entanglement. Zimmerman, who found himself at the center of a high-profile trial after fatally shooting teenager Trayvon Martin in Florida, has been hit with a cease and desist letter by the Associated Press over a painting that depicts attorney Angela Corey, who prosecuted Zimmerman in the trial.
The Associated Press claims that the painting is a copy of one the news agency’s photos.
Also read: George Zimmerman Jailed for Allegedly Holding Girlfriend at Gunpoint (Updated)
“George Zimmerman clearly directly copied an AP photo to create his painting of Florida State Attorney Angela Corey,” AP spokesman Paul Colford told TheWrap in a statement on Saturday. “The AP has sent a cease-and-desist letter asserting its copyright in the photo to the lawyer who recently represented Mr. Zimmerman.”
Colford went on to say that the lawyer, who no longer represents Zimmerman, was forwarding the letter to Zimmerman on Friday.
See video: Spike Lee on George Zimmerman Tweets He’s Being Sued Over: ‘I Did a Stupid Thing’
Zimmerman’s brother Robert tweeted an image of the painting — which depicts Corey with her fingers close together along with the message, “I have this much repect for the American judicial system” — earlier this week.
“Very proud to introduce @TherealGeorgeZ ‘s latest… ‘Angie,’” he wrote. “Sale info & details available tomorrow.”
See video: George Zimmerman’s Wife Tells ABC News He’s ‘Selfish,’ Abusive
Zimmerman, who was acquitted by a Florida jury in 2013, sold another painting on eBay for more than $100,000 late last year.
The Associated Press settled a lawsuit with artist Shepard Fairey in 2011, after the AP claimed that Fairey had used an AP photo to create the iconic Barack Obama “Hope” image without licensing the photo.