EFFEN Vodka is “disappointed” with 50 Cent over his recent harassment of a worker at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International airport and explained its sentiments in a recent statement issued exclusively to All Hip Hop this week.
The liquor company, which 50 Cent is a minority share holder in, attempted to separate itself from the rapper’s actions in the statement. “EFFEN is a brand that considers social responsibility the highest priorities; and 50 Cent’s recent actions are in no way representative of EFFEN Vodka or our brand values,” said a rep for the company this week. “We are taking this situation extremely seriously and have communicated our profound disappointment to 50 Cent directly.”
50 Cent frequently promotes EFFEN Vodka on social media and has pretty much become the figurehead for the product. He used those same social media channels to post his abuse of the airport janitor 19-year-old, Andrew Farrell, who he believed at the time was taking drugs and working while high. The rapper later issued an apology when he discovered that the worker was not high and seemed off because of his Asperger’s Syndrome, autism, social anxiety and hearing loss. “It was certainly not my intent to insult him or the disability community, which is a source of great strength in American. I have apologized personally to him and his family,” said 50 Cent.
50 Cent’s social media video where he is verbally abusing Farrell went viral quickly. In the clip he films Farrell and mocks him saying “Look at him. What kind of s*** do you think he took before he got to work today? He high as a m****erf***er right here in the airport. Pupils dilated- the new generation is f**king crazy.” 50 Cent took the video down after Andrew’s stepfather Ken Kramer revealed that his step son was suffering from several disabilities. Kramer threatened to sue 50 unless he donated $1 million to Andrew’s GoFundMe page and apologize to him in person. But after receiving a written apology the Kramers changed their tune, according to TMZ. The family received an apology written specifically for them signed by 50 Cent via email on Tuesday. “While the incident at the airport resulted from an unfortunate misunderstanding, please accept my sincere apologies for offending you. It was not my intent to insult you and I wish you and your family well,” he wrote.
However, the Farrell’s now want the rapper to donate $10,000 to Autism Speaks, an autism advocacy group, according to TMZ. 50 Cent has not responded to the family’s request yet.
Source: allhiphop.com
