Mario Russo Apologizes for Stealing, Changing and Presenting Elena Espina's Cartoons As His Own: "I really didn't know this was really wrong."

Arifur Rhaman held a Women's Rights Cartoon Exhibit. He's the publisher of tOOns Magazine, which is sponsoring the Exhibit. One of the entries was a plagiarized cartoon that was originally drawn by Elena Ospina. The cartoon that was submitted, without her knowledge or approval, now had her name wiped out and another name, "Mario Russo," written in.

I asked Arifur, whi is also known as "Cartoonist Arif," if he knew about this, and he quickly removed the cartoon from the exhibit and the catalog. He responded via Facebook:

"As you know, 567 cartoonists from 79 countries have submitted 1625 cartoons, and it was not possible for us to investigate individuals. 

"And I like to mention that, It was not our fault. Please don't misunderstand us.  

"Because, we're not responsible for participants fault. Which Mario did, he did very bad. 

"I just removed Mario's name form participants list and from the catalog. This drawing no longer part of the exhibition. Mario apologizes to Elena Ospina and to tOOns MaG. 

"Let us know if is there anything more we can do."

He also posted an apology from Mr. Russo to tOOns Magazine:

And there was also one from Mr. Russo to Ms. Espina:

My thanks to all of you out there, especially Wayno and Anne Hambrock, who shined a light on this theft and got it righted. 

And thanks to Cartoonist Arif, who immediately reacted and, I believe, was instrumental in getting Mario to understand what he had done and apologize.