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Rihanna's illegal tattooing could land her in hot soup
by Natalie James - July 4, 2009 - comments
If investigators press charges against Rihanna and she is found guilty of tattooing clients without a license, she could face three misdemeanors for the offense that may include penalties as much as $300 for the first offense, $500 for the second, and $1000 for the third
Los Angeles, July 4: Rihanna has again hit the news headlines, but this time Chris is not involved. The Barbadian beauty is in trouble after she was caught tattooing three patrons without a tattoo license in New York.
Rihanna, who has a slight obsession with body art, was spotted working as a tattoo artist without a licence. For this illegal act, the singer could face misdemeanor charges.
Rihanna turns Tattoo artist
According to tabloid reports, the 21-year-old “Umbrella” singer walked into a Manhattan tattoo parlor, East Side Ink, Wednesday night, where she gave her long-time tattoo artist - Bang Bang and the other tattoo artists, her own signature tattoo that consisted of an umbrella with the letter "R" under it.
In New York, tattooists need a licence to hold a tattooing pen, but Rihanna apparently was not aware that what she was doing was illegal.
Singer under scanner
The New York Police Department and the NYC Health Department told MTV News that the matter will be investigated.
"Only licensed tattoo artists can administer tattoos in the city according to the City's Health Code. We are sending someone down to follow up on this," New York City Health Department spokesperson Erin Brady confirmed to MTV News on Thursday, July 2.
The NYC Health Department warns that an unlicensed tattoo maker could cause their clients to develop skin infections and other health problems if their tattoos are not done properly.
Rihanna may face misdemeanors
If investigators press charges against Rihanna and she is found guilty of tattooing clients without a license, she could face three misdemeanors for the offense that may include penalties as much as $300 for the first offense, $500 for the second, and $1000 for the third, according to gossip Website TMZ.
In addition to that, if an investigation is opened, the shop owner that allowed Rihanna to tattoo without a license in the parlor could face losing his/her license as well.
Earlier on Thursday, East Side Ink owner Yadira told MTV News that Rihanna hadn't visited East Side with the intention of inking her regular tattoo artist, BangBang, as well as two other artists at the parlor.
Rihanna and her friends and bodyguard were there for "a few hours, just hanging out and joking", she said, and BangBang decided that he wanted to get a tattoo from Rihanna for a change. "We had a blast. It was so funny and cute," Yadira told MTV News.