Mark Lunsford May Not File Lawsuit in a Deal Brokered By Bubba the Love Sponge

  For weeks, the two have traded insults, criticisms and threats of litigation: the activist father whose daughter was killed by a pedophile and the shock jock who suspects him of exploiting his child's death.

But this morning, Mark Lunsford and radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge Clem seemed to bury their respective hatchets, as Lunsford's attorneys announced plans, brokered by Clem's lawyers, to sit down with representatives of the Citrus County sheriff's office next week. The hope: that they can negotiate changes to the department's procedure for investigating missing children cases in exchange for dropping plans to sue the sheriff's office over its handling of Lunsford's case.

The plan, announced on Clem's show at 7:50 a.m. this morning, could also end weeks of on air sniping in which the shock jock accused Lunsford of using his 9-year-old daughter Jessica's 2005 rape and murder to build his own personal fame.

"Mark Lunsford has already proven what he's about...all of a sudden he files notice of a lawsuit and he's an awful person?" said Lunsford's attorney, Eric "Rick" Block, who criticized Clem's producers for spreading misinformation about their efforts and not speaking with him directly about facts related to the case. Lunsford was not present in Clem's radio studio this morning, represented instead by his Jacksonville attorneys.

"I don't want to get into Mark Lunsford as a person," said Clem, who agreed to stop insulting Lunsford on air as part of the settlement. "I got 700 emails we can go through talking about what he has done and not done...(but) that would be counter-productive."

The truce seemed in danger of dissolving on air this morning as Lunsford's attorneys insisted on correcting statements Clem and his fans have made about the case, including claims that Lunsford was at a bar drinking on the night convicted sex offender John Couey kidnapped Jessica -- a claim Lunsford's attorneys denied.

Block said Lunsford waited until the last possible to day to file notice with law enforcement of his intent to sue, noting citizens have three years to file such notice or give up their right to bring suit forever. Block said that Lunsford has always maintained he would not file a lawsuit if the Citrus County sheriff would admit they made mistakes in investigating Lunsford's case and help educate other law enforcement agencies on how to handle such cases better.

Lunsford's attorneys also said they have retained the services of noted pathologist Michael Baden, who appeared on HBO's series Autopsy, in an effort to prove that Jessica was alive for days after assailant John Couey kidnapped her -- indicating that a comprehensive police search might have discovered her.

Clem began airing pointed commentary about Lunsford in February, after he revealed plans to sue the Citrus Country Sheriff's Office over its handling of Jessica's case. The conflict came to a head Feb. 27 when Lunsford appeared on Clem's show and the shock jock let go a startling statement: ""You have to wait for your daughter to die before you can start raping money from people — I understand."

Later, Clem aired a slew of parody songs criticizing Lunsford and calls from fans raising questions about his efforts to raise funds for a charitable foundation established in Jessica's name. Lunsford and his attorneys accused Clem of feeding the controversy to build his show's ratings.

This morning, Clem apologized for any insults he may have leveled at Lunsford's attorneys -- though he drew the line on comments he made about Lunsford personally. Clem credited his attorney Steve Diaco with talking to Block last week, developing discussions which let to this agreement.   

"Maybe...all of us talking, we can all take a step back," said Clem. "Let's just all agree to disagree. I'm going to shut up, you're not going to file against the sheriff...for a common goal, so this doesn't happen again."

Comments

[Lonnie]

okay, Bubba is rude and someone I don't personally like to listen to BUT in this, he was effective, AND he did not crawl out - he apologized to the attornies - not Lunsford - which deserved everything said. No he did not want people to know how much he makes off this tradegy - but can someone say - (about) $50,000! That is his "salary" - I have a Master's and don't make that....
Whole thing - sad - to much time wasted - if there is issues at the the CCSO, does he (Lunsford) think this was the way to make change - THINK NOT! Don't put a man on public display with an accusatory finger pointed in his face....
I personally have had ENOUGH of Lunsford.... Can this end?

[D-Ray]

Damien, who cares about my musical preferences, but if you must know, I used to listen to 102.5, until they hired the idiot.

It's touching how you take up for him. He'd be proud of his little buddy.

[Damien]

D-Ray, your kool-aid argument holds (pardon the pun), no water.

You have nothing further to add to this debate, yet you continue to denounce him. Don't listen to him. Don't comment on him. Heck, I've heard him tell folks like yourself to go listen to MJ, though I think you're more of at 94.9 kinda guy.

[D-Ray]

I guess we should all bow to the mighty Sponge. Thanks for setting me straight. Everyone, drink the Sponge Koolaid.

Wow, what a fantastic man, that Bubba.

A new day has dawned. I now worship a complete imbecile.

[Glenn]

If Lundsford's attorneys had provided media outlets with the professionalism and reasoning behind what they were doing the same day they filed their notice, none of this would have been necessary. I think this whole thing has been a case of people's hearts being in the right place but their heads definitely not. This was a national case and news-story and as such when you file a notice like this and then hide in the background and don't explain your reasoning in a wide media format, you get the reaction from people you did, because nobody really understood. Thank you Mr. Block for stepping up and doing the right thing, and best of luck in your efforts to make our children safe from the sickos out there.

[Damien]

For all you Bubba haters out there, please get your facts straight -- or, I suppose you're all comfortable proclaiming your ignorance of the facts in a public forum.

What Bubba did was admirable. He did not cave, he criticized the intent to sue the CCSD by Lunsford and their attornies, who, according to this morning's program, simply were asking for the opportunity to examine the current protocols and processes used to search for missing people. The sheriff didn't make mistakes during this investigation, necessarily (in fact, because of his meticulous following of established protocol, the state was able to get not only a conviction, but also the death penalty - very difficult to do), but the processes and protocols may need to be re-evaluated to ensure all law enforcement agencies are given the proper tools and processes in order to give them a better chance to prevent a senseless death. Bubba has agreed to stop talking about this issue and making incindiery statements in return for Lunsford and his attornies to drop their original suit. They agreed.

In fact, it was Bubba's lawyer who put this deal together within about 5 days, and sometime during the next week, the Sheriff himself will be sitting down with Lunsfords attornies in order to facilitate their original request.

So, in conclusion, Bubba just saved the state of Florida, or more precisely, the citizens of Citrus County at LEAST $100,000, not to mention manpower as well as public distraction.

Say what you want about him; he did a good thing. Good job, Bubba!

[Bill]

David, you're right, Bubba didn't crawl out of this, he had his lawyer do it for him. Perhaps the increasing number of lawsuits his big mouth is getting him into had something to do with it.

[D-Ray]

What can we say? Two complete idiots squaring off. Where's Jerry Springer when you need him?

[Michael]

Bubba is nothing more than a ratings w h o r e. I'm just wondering how long it takes before people wake up to that fact. He prides himself in all that he does for the Sheriffs office, but does this blindly regardless of circumstance. Unfortunatly Bubba, even officers make mistakes too, such as may be the case this time around.

It takes a real big man to hide behind a microphone and break down the character and work of a good man

[Rebecca]

Bubba this and bubba that, Has everyone forgotten that a percious inicent girl was tragiclly murder?? What gives ANYONE the right to say ANYTHING about her father and what he is doing?? You all should be ashamed of yourselves, because you do not know what he has been through and how can you speek on that?? Money money money, we all should be remembering Jessica not what Bubba says on stupid talk show!!!

[David]

Bubba didn't crawl out of this. He didn't think the lawsuit was necessary, and Lunsfords attornies dropped it. There are better ways to move forward with this, then to drag a county and the same individuals that have Couey on death row, through a lawsuit.

[Bill in Tampa]

ha ha Bubba has to back peddal. Now he'll slither away from Schnitt as well.

[Kim]

I bet Lundsford did not want to let it out of the bag just how much he is making on his child's death. Funds were getting low so he thought he would get more news and contribrutions if he suited. It back fire and now has lost him thousands if not millions.
He may have to find a job and go back to work. Or live off of mom and dad like before.

[dave wilson]

Thank You Bubba for pointing out what a waste mark lundford is. he failed his daughter and then he used her to pay for cars trucks parties and travel to those parties. oh yea and 4k to fix a trashed hotel room. he gave 5 cents for every dollor to her memory. 5 cents-
sad..............

[Jim]

LMAO Bubba caves. He gets his butt into heat then crawls away because the fire got too hot.

[leigh]

Leave it to Bubba to screw something else up. Mr Lundsford should continue with his lawsuit. Somehow we need to be able to find these children quicker, we give to many rights to the criminals. That whole family should be in jail for lying. The system sucks maybe not the police but at least that could be the begining.

[Willie Womack]

That's what Lundsford's suit was about anyway: Improving the way the Sheriff's office investigated missing children. It wasn't about making him rich.
Thank you Bubba....thank you and bless you Mark Lunsford.