50 Cent apologizes to family, donates money to charity

CINCINNATI — Curtis James Jackson III, known as rapper 50 Cent, donated $100,000 to Autism Speaks in an effort to "make good" with an airport janitor he mocked in a video he posted to Instagram, according to a release.

In the video, which has since been removed from 50 Cent's account, he accused 19-year-old Andrew Farrell of being high while working as a janitor at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport on Sunday.

The rapper was in Cincinnati to promote Effen Vodka at Jungle Jim's. Jungle Jim's — along with other stores and bars — has since pulled Effen Vodka from its shelves.

Family of janitor taunted by 50 Cent demands apology

Earlier in the week, Farrell's family had called on the rapper to apologize, saying that Farrell has a "social anxiety disorder" and a hearing impairment.

"Everything he said about him is not true. He gets up. He goes to work. He does his job. He goes home. He doesn't bother anybody," said Farrell's mother, Amanda Kramer.

In a release, 50 Cent said he wants "to turn this misunderstanding into an understanding. There are people that are ignored, mistreated and neglected with disabilities that need our support. Today, I have made a donation of $100,000 to this worthy cause through Autism Speaks."

Autism Speaks advocates for people with autism and their families while "funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure," according to its website.

The release also stated that the Farrell family asked 50 Cent to make a $10,000 donation.

Before the donation, 50 Cent issued an apology to the Farrell family. Former attorney Eric Deters, who said his firm was representing the Farrell family, said in a video the family was not seeking any monetary compensation for themselves but asked that the rapper make a donation to an autism-related cause.

Andrew Farrell said Tuesday he and his family were happy 50 Cent apologized.

"I am calling on my fellow musicians, actors, entertainers and all others who may not have fully considered this cause to join together to help in any way they can," 50 Cent said in a statement.

Contributing: Cameron Knight, The Cincinnati Enquirer. Follow Ben Goldschmidt on Twitter: @b_gschmidt