agent Entrepreneur logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Judge Allows Ford to Use Lyrics From Former Employee's Songs in Harassment Case

Rules lyrics are significant and can be used as evidence in a trial scheduled for September.

August 14, 2023
Judge Allows Ford to Use Lyrics From Former Employee's Songs in Harassment Case

The judge has allowed Ford's defense to include lyrics from a song about sex acts as evidence.

IMAGE: Pexels

2 min to read


Ford attorneys have convinced a judge presiding over a harassment case against the automaker to allow lyrics from the plaintiff's songs, which were performed while the former employee worked for Eminem, to be presented as evidence.

According to the lawsuit filed in 2019 by former employee, DeAnna Johnson, a supervisor at the Dearborn Truck Plant engaged in sexual harassment and created a hostile work environment. The lawsuit alleges Johnson's supervisor called her a “chocolate Jolly Rancher” and requested explicit photos from her and other employees.

Ad Loading...

Ford reportedly investigated Johnson’s complaints at the time and fired the supervisor.

According an article in The Detroit News, Ford attempted to minimize the impact of the supervisor's conduct by bringing up Johnson’s past.

The article reported court filings by Ford's attorney's stated Johnson, who used the stage name “Sindy Syringe,” performed on a 2005 song about sex acts by her husband, a rapper known as Bizarre, who was a close friend of Eminem.

“Evidence that (Johnson) was no shrinking violet, unoffended by off-color language is thus relevant,” Ford attorney Thomas Davis wrote in one filing, reported Automotive News. According to Davis, Johnson's supervisor testified that Johnson frequently used vulgar language herself, and even took pride in it, contradicting her claim of being in an abusive environment.

The judge hearing the case concurred with Ford's claim that the lyrics from Johnson's songs are significant and can be used as evidence in the trial scheduled for September.

Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today

More Industry

Blue and white RV parked on beach facing the ocean.
Industryby Lauren LawrenceSeptember 3, 2026

RV Group Expands Carolina Footprint

Blue Compass RV Columbia Northeast is the 13th RV dealership owned by Blue Compass in the Carolinas.

Read More →
Photo of two men and one woman on a discussion panel
Industryby Hannah MitchellSeptember 1, 2026

Agent Acumen

An Agent Summit panel of people who’ve been supporting auto dealers for years gave both timely and timeless advice for those starting out or mulling the prospect.

Read More →
Gloved hand holding two wrenches next to “Turn Overdue into Opportunity” Graphic
Industryby Lauren LawrenceAugust 27, 2026

Missed Maintenance Creates Opportunity

As families get back on the road and into daily school routines, service drives have an opportunity to capture customers who are behind on recommended vehicle maintenance.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Mitsubishi shadow line-up
Industryby Hannah MitchellAugust 25, 2026

Mitsubishi Unveils U.S. Plan

The automaker announced a strategy that includes an expanded lineup and dealership presence, along with more ‘rugged’ and electric models.

Read More →
Photo of a laptop, cellphone and eyeglasses on a desk next to an office window
IndustryAugust 24, 2026

Selling to Grow

The question of whether you should sell your agency and if so, when, is up to you. But it’s a question worth asking to ensure you keep the business on the right path for yourself, employees and clients.

Read More →
Mechanic holding a vehicle diagnostic device while standing above an open car hood
Industryby Hannah MitchellAugust 24, 2026

Recalled Vehicles Hit 5-Year High

Though the number of events has fallen so far this year, impacted units are up significantly. Meanwhile, regulators consider consumer notification changes.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
outside of car dealership with cars parked in front
Industryby Lauren LawrenceAugust 20, 2026

Auto Group Acquires Top-Performing Rooftop

Car Pros sold its Kia Huntington Beach location to Sutherlin Automotive Group, marking the buyer’s third location in Southern California.

Read More →
Cars from the rear on a Shanghai freeway
Industryby Hannah MitchellAugust 19, 2026

China as Pacesetter

Automotive leaders huddled on where North America stands in the global picture and how it can strengthen its position against the Asian juggernaut’s surging industry.

Read More →
Orange BMW car on empty road.
Industryby Hannah MitchellAugust 14, 2026

BMW Concept Car Makes Fuel to Burn

The prototype developed in concert with a South Carolina university engineering team generates more solar energy than it uses in a typical daily commute.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Six men standing for photo outside of car dealership
Industryby Lauren LawrenceAugust 13, 2026

South Carolina Auto Group Downsizes

Florida-based group Holler-Classic has acquired four rooftops, its first in South Carolina, from Dick Smith Automotive Group.

Read More →
Ad Loading...