Director Spike Lee Reaches Settlement with Elderly Couple After Retweeting Wrong Address
- Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:00pm by
Scott Baker
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SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — An elderly couple has reached a settlement with Spike Lee after the pair said they had to leave their Florida home after the director help spread a Twitter posting listing their address as that of the man who shot an unarmed teen.
The couple’s attorney, Matt Morgan, announced the settlement Thursday. Morgan says Lee called them to apologize for retweeting their address. Specifics of the settlement weren’t disclosed.
(Related: Spike Lee Apologizes For Threatening Tweet)
Elaine and David McClain are in their 70s and say they have a son named William George Zimmerman, who lived in their Sanford area home in the mid-1990s. They say he is no relation to 28-year-old George Zimmerman, who killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on Feb. 26.
The killing has touched off widespread protests around the country and expressions of outrage — including from Lee and other celebrities — because Zimmerman was not arrested. The neighborhood watch volunteer has said he acted in self-defense.
“At this point in time, we have come to an agreement with Spike Lee and his attorneys, and at this point, the matter is fully resolved,” Morgan said. “Spike has agreed to compensate the McClains for their loss and for the disruption into their lives. He’s taken full responsibility.”
Lee tweeted late Wednesday: “I Deeply Apologize To The McClain Family For Retweeting Their Address. It Was A Mistake. Please Leave The McClain’s In Peace.”
Morgan added that Lee also called the McClains to apologize personally.
“He was really kind,” Elaine McClain said. “And when he called us, you could just tell he really felt bad about it. And it was just a slip, and I just know that he really, really has been concerned.”
No one answered at a telephone listing for a production company for Lee in New York after business hours Thursday.




















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Comments (243)
loveoursoldiers
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:58pmI would like to think he did it because he knew he was wrong and felt bad. Somehow I am thinking he did it out of concern for his own future. It sucks to piss off the people that support your Hollywood lifestyle. Oh.. and these white people seem to be OK as long as they are forking out the cash.
Report Post »oops..
Hey.. we all make mistakes but this is a huge one and one that could have led to bloodshed. I think he may have got ten a call from the person in the WH. I think the person in the WH told r\his lackies to stand down for now.. judging from the sudden disappearance of the NBPs from TV. He and Holder lnow this looks really bad when they say NOTHING when NBPs get on TV and say they are going to ‘get whitey” I think this is what they want but they don’t want it said like that.
I hope no white people vote for this racist. He is the cause of all this hate. He is a hateful man.
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:51pm.
“I Deeply Apologize To The McClain Family For Retweeting Their Address. It Was A Mistake. Please Leave The McClain’s In Peace.”
You Should Have Thought of That, while you were “Whipping” the Flames of Racism. I can hear your “Rant” about how somebody ought to “Kill That MF”. You very Lucky someone did not hurt that innocent old couple…..Did you at least buy them a new house?…
Should these folks calling for Violence Be Charged With A Hate Crime?….
Report Post »Pouncing Porcupine
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 12:58amLee was about to have his @$$ sued completely off.
Report Post »You’re damn right he settled.
Marci
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 2:50amA “mistake” my a. Putting the address of EVEN George Zimmerman out there (which was the intention) was to get him killed in revenge, and Spikey would know how thugs take revenge marching orders. With a side of crack and on the go.
Report Post »PASSIONFORCHRIST
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 3:10amI would of taken him to court and when I won, would have made him fill out financial statement as to his worth, THEN SETTLED! To bad their attorney is an idiot, probably got paid off.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 6:30amThis is a prime example of the issues of social media. Instant broadcast mass communication + immature people + populist mentality = rush to judgement.
Personally, I think people need more than 140 characters to express themselves properly. Such an arbitrary limit forces the removal of otherwise necessary adjectives and descriptors. Written text lacks the emotion, inflection, an intonation of speech; just as it lacks the visual cues of video.
We need to restore America. Restore LOVE. America can be better than this!
WWWD ? What would Walter (Cronkite) Do?
Report Post »000degrees
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 6:51amYou have the means to pay your way out of a mess you created with your irresponsible behavior, that does not mean it’s ok……only means you can afford to be an ass…..
Report Post »Sharin Potter-DO NOT USE NAME please
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:00amWell said. Totally agree with you, voting for barry–obama–will take us to communism—–STRAIGHT TO IT111 Wake up ppl., everyone he knows will be thrown under the bus. Oh yeah one more thing- how can he be just black, last i counted 50 50 is whie and black, how can anyone be a racist on that?
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:46amLee: “Gosh, I’m so sorry I gave out information to people in order to have them harm you. I meant to give out information of OTHER people who I want to see harmed. My bad.”
It strikes me as the apology of the mass murderer who didn‘t mean to kill his friend’s family (oops!), but doesn’t seem to see killing lots of people in general as wrong.
Report Post »snooop1e
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:47amHe’s so sorry that his production company has no comment? Those innocent people could have been killed. For months the Left Wing media accused Glenn Beck of inciting people to violence with his “dangerous and inflammatory rhetoric” Now you have people openly calling for the capture and arrest of someone and actively tweeting addresses and posting wanted dead or alive posters and the media and the Just-us Dept are silent. Why is the Justice Dept ignoring the fact that Spike Lee and the New Black Panthers are inciting people to violence and calling for vigilantism? Why does Eric Holder and the Justice Dept continually give the New Black Panthers a pass when they openly break the law and call people to violence? This is a pattern with this President and this “Just-us Department“ Remember when the Police ”acted stupidly”? When Agent Zapata was murdered with a weapon that was illegally sold to the drug cartels by the Just-us Dept why didn’t President Obama appear on the news and personalize the Zapata murder? Why is Eric Holder refusing to cooperate in the investigation? Why?
Report Post »snooop1e
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:54amIf Rush Limbaugh had tweeted Sandra Flukes address he would be in jail right now. Spike Lee should be arrested (along with anyone else who tweeted addresses) the intent was to bring harm to someone. The message here is if you are Black and you are really angry it’s ok.
Report Post »1chancey1
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:57amOf course they are going to say nice things about him – he just paid them off!
Report Post »snooop1e
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:07amHow IRONIC, that a man who produced a movie titled “Do the Right Thing” whose entire message was about racial bigotry and NOT reacting to racial tension with anger and violence would (years later) react to racial tension in anger and incite others to violence. That was the entire message of his movie, to NOT let racial tension and anger make us “Do the Wrong Thing” Seriously Spike? In the words of Rick Santorum “COME ON MAN WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”
Report Post »omgfolks
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:28amWhy does it have to be ‘white people” taking cash? How about the VICTIMS OF LEE”S actions who felt so threatend and concerned for their life that had to flee their own home because Mr Lee decided to act recklessly and invite people to hurt them? Why does it have to be white people when the Martin family is seeking to Patend I am Travon making a buck off their dead son? Why you got to got there?
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:05amSpike Lee’s a creep. He’s no different to the lynch mobs of the old south. He saw a “Zimmerman” that looked about right and set about sending a lynch mob after him.
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:21amYeah, that lame brained Rosanne Barr tweeted the address too. When she found out it was the wrong address, she pulled it. But, with her putting it out there, she could have caused these people harm too.
Report Post »Never, never liked this woman and this is more proof to the pudding what she really is & thinks.
SingerGuy
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:50am@Sharin Potter, how come we’re not supposed to use your name? :-)
Report Post »GUNNSUP
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:53amSpike Lee also owns New Era Hats. When buying ball caps, don’t buy those. I had to work with this doichebag once. I came from being a 39 yr old hotshot right out of the military to allowing this schmuck to have free reign within my dept to shoot a commercial for New Era. I wanted to smack him on more than one occaision
Report Post »NCREPUB
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 12:10pmhttp://youtu.be/17m8OnHC7dQ
Report Post »Hobbs57
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 12:36pmI really do wonder how much these people settled for. I bet it was up there, possibly 1/4 million or more, maybe even a cool million. I would have consulted with a lawyer and checked out just how much they could sue for before agreeing to anything. In the agreement, I would leave it open ended, stating that is I was harmed even after settling, that I still reserved the right to sue. I am sure a greedy lawyer jumped all over this as soon as it caught wind that they the wrong address was tweeted. I am sure Spike is more than aware that when you have money, people will sue you any chance they get, but especially when you place your foot directly in your mouth and arse simultaneously. I hope they raked him for millions !!
Report Post »1minuteman
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 1:22pmthe fact that obama has been silent on the new black panther racists speaks volumes.
Report Post »Liberal_Teacher
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 3:07pm@Avenger Spike Lee is actually different than a lynch mob in that he did not actually hang anyone. I know some people are eager to claim the word “lynch” for themselves, but it refers to the actual physical action of hanging someone, an act which, in the history of America, was predominantly carried out by white people towards black people.
Spike Lee an idiot, but when you try and connect him to lynching, you sound like you’re trying to minimize actual lynchings.
Report Post »tambri
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 4:12pmWhat amazes me is that what Spike Lee and the Black Panthers did is an incitement to violence and that nothing is being done to them. Isn’t it against the law to incite violence. Like yelling fire in a crowded theather? How come our President isn’t coming out on national tv and telling them to stop and that there will be an investigation by the Department of Justice?
Report Post »Basharr
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 5:45pmThere is no amount of money that can hide his “I am above the law” intent. Racist piece of crap can burn in hell for all I care. He has gotten rich exploiting the Black Condition in this country. It is their own fault but all Black should have issue with Spike Lee being famous for exploiting the issues surrounding many of them. Same with the New Black Panther Party, they say they are considered a lesser class of citizen in this country. Perhaps if they rose above their own racism they would not look upon themselves in this manner nor feel other looked at the black community in that light.
Report Post »327
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 9:02amI‘m glad the majority of comments ignore the liberal media spin that Lee is sorry and settled with the McClain’s, now everything is cooool. He’s sorry for forwarding the wrong address. Some consolation, an apology and millions of dollars would do for another unknowing victim laying in a coma or six feet under.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on April 1, 2012 at 8:55amA cash settlement will enable them to move with no hardship on them. These days you can’t sell a house that you own completely and then take that money and buy an new house. You have to move first. I know because I’ve had a house for sell for 3 years. And trust me, I don‘t believe for a second he would have done it if there hadn’t been an outrage over it. Look at how long it took for him to do it?
Report Post »WTFHappenedToTheUSA
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:57pmSpike Lee, you are a true example of racist, liberal garbage!
Report Post »Daveed
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:56pmHe said he was sorry for re-tweeting their address. He was not sorry for initially tweeting their address? So is that 1/2 of an apology?
Report Post »Chet Hempstead
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:19pmNo, re-tweeting means he re-sent a tweet that he received from somebody else. He was not the one who initially tweeted the address. For what it’s worth, this is a full apology.
Report Post »woodyb
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 12:06amHe is not sorry for DOING it, he is sorry he got caught because it got so much NEGATIVE attention!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »nelbert
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:30amAs Laura Ingraham noted, a conservative apologizes for a dumb comment and the liberal media rejects the apology. A liberal makes a statement that disrupts a family and causes them grave concern for their welfare, but his apology is taken by that same liberal without question.
Report Post »Misha
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:51pmGeez, people. The man mad a very very bad call – but he’s apologized and taken responsibility. Leave it alone.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:11pmI would feel the same as you except for the fact that he did not apologize to the public at large for his intentional attempt to incite anger and hatred towards the family of the person that has claimed self defense in the death of another human being. If perhaps Spike had called for the patience of ALL of the public and CALM; I would believe him.
Report Post »No the only reason he apologized was his LAWYER told him his goose was cooked; pay up or lose it all…that is most likely how it went down.
ohiowordguy
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 12:32amLeave it alone?
Ask yourself this: What was his motivation in posting the address?
He was advocating vigilantism, plain and simple.
He wouldn’t have been a damn bit sorry if the “real” Zimmerman had been dragged from his home and killed. He’s only sorry because he screwed up, terrified two innocent old people and likely had to write check with a lot of zeros.
Report Post »TaraR42
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 5:13amHe didn’t feel bad OR applogized until his address was re-tweeted and then posted all over the Internet
Report Post »usmc1063
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 6:57amLee made a very bad call he should have never done that at all. The fact of the matter being he should have left it alone. But noooooo he just wanted to do harm by breaking the law. As for Lee being sorry the only thing he’s sorry about is the money he had to pay out to these White people. Why because of his continued stupitidy in disrupting the lives of truly innocent people. Lee along with that other Idiot Roseann Barr are starting the flames to a fire that will ultamately consume them both and the lackies that follow them..
Report Post »objectivetruth
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:16amNO.If he had of told a couple people who ended up at the house by mistake and no further damage was done.Then I might agree with you.He called for revenge and murder in a public manner and got the wrong address.The conseqences for his mistake could have been innocent people killed.This is not acceptable.
Report Post »CougarNick78
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 10:32amIf this had been Beck or Limbaugh tweeting the home addy of Van Jones or Sandra Fluke you’d be saying different on their respective apologies. You’re not fooling anyone Mush-brain!
Report Post »Basharr
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 5:49pmHe had no choice MISHA, he is a racist who may hang with some white liberals of fame but the reality is he knowingly hoped his tweet was putting Zimmerman at risk. You may accept his apology, however I condemn him for the action and his hatred. An apology was not enough, he was hoping violence befell a man he believes is guilty when the judge and jury are out.
Report Post »chiquita
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:43pm@SoupSammich: It’s based on his behavior history. In 1999, he said of NRA President Charlton Heston “Shoot him with a .44 Bulldog”. He’s a racist and all but put out a hit on Heston in 1999 and has all but done the same with Zimmerman.
Report Post »ldaopines
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:42pmMake no mistake. Spike did an awful thing that shows he’s basically a pretty nasty guy. An apology to this couple doesn’t change that at all. After all, he intended to draw a death target on a family without due process or the law. If I were the couple, I’d only settle for a brand new house in an upscale neighborhood, all moving costs, new furniture, and compensation for time and mental distress.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:00pmwhat makes you think he did not? The Mclains said they were fully satisfied.
Report Post »1947
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 11:21pmOnly because they wanted to go HOME…..They don’t want any more problems ….. They are at retirement age… What if this had happen to a black of the same age……?
Report Post »Onowicit
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:41pmSPIKE give them my address
its
1234 SWEEEEEET street
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:35pmLol
Report Post »Carefreeflyer
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:41pmThis disgusting racist should be behind bars.
Report Post »TruthSeeker11111
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:43pmIndeed he should. Thug!
Report Post »IamWhatIam
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:40pmI’m sorry I did something wrong. I meant to do something else wrong.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:13pmthat is about the whole story…
Report Post »BONETRAUMA
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:39pmSpike the thugass pos.
like my bad….peace out….
Report Post »ldaopines
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:36pmYou start getting sad when their attorney calls yours.
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:51pmWhich shows why our society is in such “sad” shape. Spike had this one coming, hopefully he paid such a price he won’t be so quick to play the race card next time.
Report Post »MarianF
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:32pmI hope he really does feel bad. When you choose to do something so dirty the mud slings onto the innocent too. That, Spike is why you should do the right thing.
Report Post »SHOWMESTATEGUY
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:56pmHe don‘t feel bad and he won’t do the right thing. He just hates that somebody stood up to him and his racism. Hope you paid big time racist.
Report Post »dawg71
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:31pmFrankly I’m surpised he even Apologized.
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:37pmFrankly I am wondering WHAT SPIKE LEE wanted people to do when they got the address???
SpikeyDude? You are INCITING RAGE??
What a pathetic loser.
Report Post »OMG 2012
EgoBrain
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:56pmCourage? To apologize??
It takes courage to apologize…is that what you’re saying George?
He very well could have been responsible for the murders of this elderly couple.
Report Post »EgoBrain
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:58pmSorry, that was meant for someone else. My page ‘jerks’ around for a few minutes.
Report Post »1947
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:21pm“Frankly I am wondering WHAT SPIKE LEE wanted people to do when they got the address???”
HIS DIRTY WORK
Report Post »louzyana
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:31pmCome on guys, at least he manned up and tried to correct the situation. Isn’t that what Glenn was calling for/?
Report Post »The Eleventh Doctor
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:35pmYes, I have to commend Spike Lee for manning up and apologizing for his mistake, rather than blaming it on something else. I don’t agree with Spike Lee at all, but I commend his courage to apologize.
Report Post »Onowicit
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:46pm@louzyana
Man up! REALLY! he was tweeting the address of someone he wanted hurt or even killed. This is just him not getting sued for STUPIDITY. Manliness has nothing to do with it. He should have been thrown in jail for tweeting with the intent of assault. John Gotti could take lessons here.
Report Post »mauijonny
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 4:23amAs Glenn pointed out: the only reason Lee apologized is because he knew he’d get his @ss sued. Mindless, rich, jerkoff…I feel an OWS moment coming on…
Report Post »CougarNick78
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 10:28amMan up? Yeah, Spike was sorry. Spike was sorry he didn’t get THE RIGHT ZIMMERMAN addy. Had he gotten George’s right addy and someone capped GZ, would Spike have been sorry? I doubt it.
You sound like either a softy moderate milktoast or another limp-brained leftard. Either way, I have as much use for you as I do pre-used toilet paper.
Report Post »urrybr
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 1:50pmThe only reason he “manned-up” was because his reputation was on the line. Spikey is one of those people that doesn’t feel bad for doing something wrong. He feels bad because he got caught with his silk thong down. The man should be arrested and tried for inciting to commit murder, and defamation of character. He and all of his Black Panther weinies are nothing but thugs.
Report Post »SoupSammich
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:27pmIs that racist Doggy or just based on “observation”?
Report Post »Tractorboy
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:23pmWhen you seek vengeance, always dig two graves.
Report Post »Satrix
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:16pmWhy doesn’t he apologize to the Zimmerman family for attempting to send their address? Perhaps he feels no need to apologize to George Zimmerman, but he does have a family and neighbors, who potentially were threatened by Spike Lee’s followers.
Report Post »RamboTheDog
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:16pmBS – the only thing SL was concerned about was his own @ZZ
If any harm had befallen these innocent folks he knew he’d be an accessory.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:30pmYa know what? If any harm does befall these people because of that “tweet”, it will be his rear in the crossfire because of what he did. There may be people out there that didn’t hear the apology or the retraction. Plus Roseanne Barr has jumped in to the mess by retweeting the wrong address. You can’t unring a bell.
Report Post »spirited
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:12pmWithout knowing the settlement specifics
Elaine and David McClain sound like nice people.
>Oh, if only they could be a role model to the many ttention-seeking, money monger, race-baiting,
Report Post »a-moral , point-prooving, selfish society …..the world seems to growing into.
Baddoggy
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:12pmAn impossible task.
Report Post »strawberry411a
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:12pm…it‘s just that DARNED solicitation of kidnapping and mayhem that’s hard to shake. Oh well don’t worry about it SPIKE. No white man has the backbone to stand up to you and your ilk in this day and age.
Report Post »drago
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:12pm“He was really kind”.Hell yes he was, better kind than having his ass sued off……
Report Post »SpeckledPup
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:11pmkind, forgiving, older white folks, you know they settled for pennies because the black man ”was so nice”.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:18pmYep, typical white people, just like a certain somebody’s grandmother. Right, Barack?
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:19pmHe can be darned glad it wasn’t my address .. I am tired of being “nice” to racists …
Report Post »strawberry411a
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:10pmWhat a really nice guy!!!!
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 7:53amWe are being de-sensitized to contract murder-for-hire as an acceptable form of discourse. Racist minions like Spike Lee will do everything they can to “mainstream” this vile thinking. Racists behave in a racist fashion. Spike Lee is a “kill whitey” racist.
Spike Lee tried to have a man murdered. Millions saw his request for a contract to kill another person.
Spike Lee should be arrested and charged with murder-for-hire.
Spike Lee never misses a chance to further the “kill whitey” agenda.
Report Post »martinez012577
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:06pmNevermind the fact he was trying to get a man killed before the evidence is known.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:12pmYes .. .interesting that LITTLE FACT seems to be missing .. from the article and the discussion .. since when can anyone put a HIT out on another citizen? .. that is what all this cr*’p amounts to … a contract hit. Where is the LAW ???
Report Post »rtlane28
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:12pmYeah….but he was really nice…..
Report Post »drago
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:12pmWho says he still isnt trying to get him killed……
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