Police In North Dakota Use Ozzy Concert To Set Up Sting

November 2, 2007 4:20 p.m. EST

Fargo, ND (CNS) - Ozzy Osbourne was less than thrilled that police in North Dakota decided to set up a sting operation in the form of a pre-concert party for Ozzy's Monday night show at the Fargodome.

The 58-year old British rocker issued a press statement Thursday night, and blasted police for using his name in connection with the covert operation.

Sheriff Paul D. Laney created a fake company, entitled PDL Productions and sent out more than 40 invitations to people who allegedly ignored court summons, child-support payments, or other various fines, inviting them to an exclusive "VIP" party as well as tickets to the show.

Those who showed up expecting to rock out were quickly handcuffed, and Laney later held a televised press conference to announce the sting's success.

"Sheriff Laney went out of his way to tarnish my reputation by implying that I somehow attract a criminal element, which is certainly not true," Ozzy said in a statement. "My audiences are good, hard-working people who have been hugely supportive of my music for nearly four decades. They have also been very supportive of my wife Sharon's colon cancer charity by raising over a million dollars (partly through VIP ticket sales) at my shows. It's obvious to me that this sheriff has an agenda and is just trying to make a name for himself on my back."

Osbourne also went on to say that, "Sheriff Laney should be apologizing to me for using my name in connection with these arrests."

Reporters at MTV News attempted to reach Laney for a statement but a representative at the Cass County Sheriff's Office said that he was out of the office and not ready to comment at this time.