Mindy McCready is creeping into the media spotlight again. Unfortunately, it is not for her music but for yet another complaint in the court system. Take a look at the press release we received today:
Mindy McCready, whose career has lived and died by her own trials and tribulations—more often untruths—only to be heightened by destructive maternal envy and media hype, has filed suit against AMERICAN MEDIA, INC., the publisher of the national print publication, the National Enquirer, and her mother, GAYLE INGE, who resides in Florida. The weekly tabloid magazine (with a circulation of approximately one-million) published a story earlier this month entitled “Shameful Mindy McCready Doesn’t Deserve To Have Child Back.”
The article, with information provided by Gayle Inge (who appears to be the only source of information for the piece) suggests Mindy failed to appear at the most recent court hearing surrounding the custody of her son so-as to avoid taking a drug test, has not seen her son on more than one instance in the last twelve months, is an addict who has failed a number of drug tests, and is an unfit, bad parent who is shameless.
“What is shameful and heartbreaking is the unhealthy relationship I have endured with my mom over my lifetime. With the help of friends and therapy, I have realized how detrimental the relationship has been for me and I’ve worked hard to detach. I’ve tried to keep my personal life from being public,” McCready stated. “But, every time I take a positive step forward, make healthy, personal decisions and move forward in my career, it seems my mother uses it as an opportunity to step into the picture to deflate me…to become the focal point…to use the press to step into the spotlight—at my expense. In all honesty, I’m saddened it has come to this; but this is not a one-time, single event—to sell her ‘stories’ to The Star, The Globe and Radar Online. [Publications all under the American Media, Inc. umbrella.] It has just got to stop, for me and my son.” [Mindy is currently in the studio recording a new project in Nashville, has a number of television and motion picture opportunities on the table, and continues the legal battle surrounding the custody of her son, Zander.]
“The statements contained in the National Enquirer article (on or about June 8, 2011) are personal attacks intended to inflict hurt and pain on Ms. McCready at the expense of the truth,” said her legal counsel, Andrew Douglas of Andrew Douglas, P.A. who filed the formal complaint. “It is also unfortunate that the National Enquirer published this story without first corroborating Mrs. Inge’s statements.”
The Complaint [VERIFIED COMPLAINT FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AND FOR DAMAGES, AND DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL] as filed IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION Docket No. 2011CA8551] states in part: “The material facts of the article are false and misleading and therefore defamatory. American Media published the false statements and created the grossly misleading implications with actual malice knowing that the article was false, or with a reckless disregard for the truth or falsity of the statements and implications of the article. Even more…the Article by strong implication attacks the morality and character of McCready by providing credibility to the unsubstantiated statements of Gayle Inge through American Media’s failure to fact-check Gayle Inge’s statements in any capacity whatsoever. As such conduct by American Media and Inge, together, is intentional misconduct and grossly negligent, McCready hereby reserves her right to seek punitive damages.”
“At this time, we have no choice but to address the defamation in a court of law to protect Ms. McCready’s personal and professional interests,” Attorney Douglas added.
Meanwhile, Mindy has been embroiled in a four-year battle over physical custody of her now 5-year-old son, Zander. In various legal hearings, options have been weighed to keep the child where he is, with Mrs. Inge, or to place him permanently with his biological father, Billy McKnight (who was charged with attempted murder for nearly killing McCready in 2005)–despite circumstances that have been verified as unhealthy and unsafe for the child, including but not limited to Zander’s numerous and unexplained visits to the doctor’s office, under the care of Mrs. Inge, and Mr. McKnight’s criminal, alcohol and drug abuse history, and his prolonged absence from Zander’s life. At present, the current status is such that the court will approve McKnight’s permanent custody “pending completion of a home study awaiting the receipt of his criminal history from the State of Tennessee.” At present, McKnight has been granted overnight visits with Zander.
“When I learned of the article in the National Enquirer, I immediately brought it to the attention of the attorneys for the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Florida Guardian and Litem Program, the state agencies charged with the responsibility of making sure Zander’s best interests are protected,” said Thérèse Misita Truelove, P.A. of Gainesville, Florida who is representing McCready in the proceedings involving her son in Florida.
“The legal proceedings surrounding Ms. McCready’s child are confidential under Florida law so as to protect Zander. That Ms. Inge chose to speak so openly, albeit falsely, about those proceedings, and the fact that she provided a picture of the child for national publication, raises serious concerns in my mind for the safety and well-being of Zander while he continues to be in her care. There are additional legal actions being investigated and reviewed. It is clear that Ms. McCready and her mother have a tumultuous relationship. The fact that she is raising Ms. McCready’s son and refuses to foster his relationship with his mother, coupled with the fact that she would publicly exploit these proceedings, should raise serious concerns as to whether Ms. Inge truly has the child’s best interest at heart,” Truelove summarized.
”What I want people to know is how unfairly I’ve been treated–because of my past mistakes and, quite frankly, because of my celebrity history. My custody battle has been deplorable and fraudulent. And…my mother’s agenda, I believe, is to continue to keep my character and lifestyle ‘questionable.’ The focus needs to be about the safety and well-being of my son and not about untruthful statements that have lent to unjust results. Zander and I need to be together.” McCready concluded.
It’s such a shame to watch a great career get put to the garbage because of tribulations like Mindy has been a part of. Wishing her the best.
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