FILE - In this April 27, 2006 file photo, a poster of President Barack Obama, right, by artist Shepard Fairey is shown for comparison with this file photo of then-Sen. Barack Obama by Associated Press photographer Manny Garcia at the National Press Club in Washington. Attorneys for poster artist Shepard Fairey, who designed the famous Obama "HOPE" image, say he based it on a photograph taken by The Associated Press and not another picture, as the artist had claimed. (AP Photo/Manny Garcia/ Shepard Fairey)

New York City ? Artist Shepard Fairey, who designed the famous Obama “HOPE” poster, pictured above, says he was mistaken about which Associated Press photo he based his work on and that he tried to hide his wrongdoing.

“In an attempt to conceal my mistake I submitted false images and deleted other images,” said Fairey, who has been involved in countersuits with the AP, which has alleged copyright infringement.

Attorneys for Fairey told the AP they have withdrawn and, in papers filed Friday in federal court in Manhattan, stated that he misled them. Fairey had claimed he based his “HOPE” drawing on an AP photograph taken of Obama seated next to George Clooney. He now says the image was based on a solo photograph of Obama, taken at the same event.