FILE - In this Nov. 22, 2012 file photo, Don McLean rides a float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. Don McLean has threatened to sue a weekly newspaper that wrote about his former wife's photo exhibition about domestic abuse, which includes a copy of the protection order issued against him., Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, File)

'American Pie' singer objects to coverage of ex's exhibit

By The Associated Press February 22, 2019 at 2:36pm

CAMDEN, Maine (AP) — Don McLean’s former wife has launched a photo exhibition about domestic abuse that includes a copy of the protection order issued against him, and the “American Pie” singer is threatening to sue a weekly newspaper that wrote about it.

Don and Patrisha McLean divorced after a domestic incident in their Camden, Maine, home in 2016. McLean pleaded guilty to domestic violence assault, which was dismissed after he met the terms of a plea agreement.

He also paid a fine of a few thousand dollars after pleading guilty to three other charges: domestic violence criminal threatening, criminal restraint and criminal mischief. Those remain on his record.

Patrisha McLean is using her exhibit, “Finding Our Voices: Breaking the Silence of Domestic Abuse,” to draw attention to domestic violence by sharing victims’ stories. The Free Press of Rockland wrote about the exhibition at the Camden Public Library on Feb. 7.

The Press Herald reports that McLean’s attorney then threatened to sue The Free Press and accused Patrisha McLean of “vicious misstatements.” The Free Press removed the story online so lawyers could review it but later reposted it.

Patrisha McLean told The Associated Press that Don McLean’s threat of a lawsuit is “shocking to everybody, but not to me.” She said her exhibit is important for survivors because it’s about “domestic abuse that we kept silent about for decades, and sometimes decades ago.”

McLean’s attorney, Eric Morse of Rockland, did not return a call to The Associated Press seeking comment.

___

This story’s headline has been corrected to make clear Patrisha McLean is Don McLean’s ex-wife, not his current wife.

The Western Journal has not reviewed this Associated Press story prior to publication. Therefore, it may contain editorial bias or may in some other way not meet our normal editorial standards. It is provided to our readers as a service from The Western Journal.

Submit a Correction →

We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:

WJ Wire

The Associated Press

SummaryMore Biographical InformationRecent PostsContact

The Associated Press is an independent, not-for-profit news cooperative headquartered in New York City. Their teams in over 100 countries tell the world’s stories, from breaking news to investigative reporting. They provide content and services to help engage audiences worldwide, working with companies of all types, from broadcasters to brands. Photo credit: @AP on Twitter

@AP

Facebook

The Associated Press was the first private sector organization in the U.S. to operate on a national scale. Over the past 170 years, they have been first to inform the world of many of history's most important moments, from the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the bombing of Pearl Harbor to the fall of the Shah of Iran and the death of Pope John Paul.

Today, they operate in 263 locations in more than 100 countries relaying breaking news, covering war and conflict and producing enterprise reports that tell the world's stories.

Location

New York City