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IRS Investigating Shaggy 2 Dope Of Insane Clown Posse

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - The Internal Revenue Service wants to know more about the income of one half of hip-hop duo Insane Clown Posse.

In a court filing, the government asked a judge Wednesday to enforce a summons against Joseph Utsler, better known by his stage name, Shaggy 2 Dope. The IRS is investigating the suburban Detroit man's income for 2011 and 2012.

The government says Utsler didn't appear for meetings in March and May. He was supposed to bring financial records.

A message seeking comment from his attorney, Marvin Karana, wasn't immediately returned.

Utsler's partner in Insane Clown Posse is Joseph Bruce, known as Violent J.

Separately, they've been challenging the U.S. Justice Department over a 2011 report that described their fans, the Juggalos, as a "loosely organized hybrid gang."

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan says the free speech and due process rights of Juggalos are being violated after some claimed they were fired, lost their kids or were unfairly target by police because of the designation.

A Detroit federal judge last year ruled that the Justice Department isn't responsible for how authorities use the gangs report, but a court in Cincinnati agreed to hear an appeal in the case.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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