Tupac Shakur Gets Apology After Governor Accuses Him of Unemployment Fraud

A Kentucky man got a personal apology from the governor of his state, Andy Beshear, after being accused of unemployment fraud.

What We Know:

  • The governor suggested that someone from his state tried to cheat the system by using the name of the multi-platinum Death Row artist that was murdered in 1996. He was wrong.
  • The 45-year-old man, whose legal name is Tupac Shakur, was previously employed as a food service worker. Shakur had been waiting on his unemployment benefits after being laid off due to the coronavirus pandemic.

  • After learning of the error, Beshear called Shakur – who goes by his middle name, Malik – and apologized. But the damage was already done. Previously employed as a cook, Shakur says that he applied for unemployment benefits on March 13. Four days later, he received an approval notice stating the amount of money he could expect. He has been waiting for those funds ever since. “I’ve been struggling for like the last month trying to figure out how to pay the bills,” Shakur said.
  • Shakur is trying to keep his head up. He said he forgave the governor for his blunder. “I understand, he’s dealing with a lot,” Shakur said. “Mistakes happen.”

“I owe somebody an apology tonight. Last night, I spent a little bit of time talking about fraudulent claims holding us up. I mentioned an individual who had filed under the name of Tupac Shakur. I did not know (and it is my fault), that we have a Kentuckian who goes by Malik – whose name is Tupac Shakur. I talked to him on the phone today and I apologized.”

 

  • He ended his remarks on the subject with a promise to swiftly resolve Shakur’s claims. Tupac Malik Shakur legally changed his name in 1998 after becoming a practicing Muslim. He chose the surname because it means “thankful to God” in Arabic.

Many conspiracy theorists believe Tupac is still alive after faking his own death. There have been several supposed sightings, look alike pictures and curious videos that have led many to believe this theory, but Malik Shakur of Kentucky is not him.