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Lunsford to shock jock: retract, or face suit
By Eric Deggans, Times TV/Media Critic
Published March 1, 2008
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[Ken Helle | Times]
Bubba the Love Sponge Clem has accused Lunsford of exploiting his daughter's death.
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[Stephen J. Coddington | Times (2007)]
Mark Lunsford defended his foundation's finances and demanded a retraction from Clem.
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Mark Lunsford, whose 9-year-old daughter Jessica was raped and murdered in 2005, is demanding a retraction from radio shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge Clem.
Otherwise, the lawsuit Lunsford plans to file against the Citrus County Sheriff's Office won't be the only one. He is threatening to sue Clem and Cox Radio, which airs his morning show on WHPT-102.5 FM the Bone.
The two butted heads during an interview Thursday, where Clem accused Lunsford of exploiting his daughter's death to increase his own fame.
As Lunsford was explaining he had to wait for IRS approval to establish his Jessica Marie Lunsford Foundation, Clem dropped this bombshell comment: "You have to wait for your daughter to die before you can start raping money from people - I understand."
Lunsford called the shock jock a "fat slob" and accused him of spreading misinformation.
Lunsford's attorney Eric Block acknowledged his client's status as a nationally known advocate for tough laws supervising pedophiles will make proving slander difficult.
Still, "just because you're a public person doesn't mean you're fodder for slander," said Block, adding Lunsford would not comment on his latest fight with Clem.
Clem began airing pointed commentary about Lunsford after he revealed plans to sue the Citrus Country Sheriff's Office over its handling of Jessica's case.
Clem's producer, Brent Hatley, said Friday the shock jock apologized for his language with Lunsford, though he remains skeptical about the foundation's finances.
Jay O'Connor, regional vice president and Tampa market manager for Cox Radio, said the company supports Clem, though he could not discuss a possible retraction.
During the 12-minute interview, Lunsford insisted his foundation's financial records are available online, noting he takes a salary of $54,000.
Clem responded by asking Lunsford if he would take a drug test, and repeatedly asking where donations have been spent. Lunsford hung up when Clem asked a question alleging he was at a bar while Jessica was abducted.
Clem kept up his criticism Friday morning, playing a parody song with the refrain "greasy Mark Lunsford/is a white trash man," set to the music of rockers ZZ Top's 1983 hit Sharp Dressed Man.
"The only thing I'm guilty of is sticking up for the people of Citrus County, who will have to pay for this lawsuit," Clem said Thursday night. "I'm the most pro-law enforcement radio person out there."
Clem said he has hired investigators and a forensic accountant to examine the foundation.
"I may be looking like the bad guy now," Clem said. "But I won't be for long."
Eric Deggans can be reached at deggans@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8521. See his blog at blogs.tampabay.com/media.
[Last modified February 29, 2008, 21:38:13]
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Comments on this article
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by Carrie
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03/11/08 01:02 PM
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There is a place in hell for people like Mark. Bubba you are a much better person than what these idoits are giving you credit for.
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by Lisa
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03/11/08 01:01 PM
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If Mark was a more responisble person would Jessica still be alive? Isn't that the same type of question they are asking about the Sheriffs office? What ifs don't count all you can do is make good of a situation and handle it better if it re-occurs.
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by Mary
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03/10/08 05:48 PM
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Cynthia you ignorant idiot-Mark LIVED THERE WITH THEM!! Guess a single parent is NEVER allowed to go out at night and have a drink according to you pathetic ignoramuses. judge not you stupid morons. Todd Clem is pure manure -he is the exploiter here
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by Julie
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03/10/08 04:41 PM
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I actually had no idea Mark got an RV, motorcycle and a new hummer to drive. Thanks for the info Bubba. I feel sorry for what the Lundfords have been through however enough is enough.
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by Cynthia
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03/05/08 06:53 PM
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Jessie was at her Grandparents house that night because they were taking care of her. They had her since she was a baby. Mark NEVER took care of her. Neither did her mother. Mark is cashing in on Jessie's death. Keep diggin' Bubba.
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by citrus county
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03/04/08 06:26 PM
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God people do not have sympathy for Mark Lundsford.He is using Jessica's death as a free meal ticket. Before this he drove a truck for Dirt Boys.A fitting name, he could have gone back but no he travels and eats off the death money.
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by Beverly
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03/04/08 06:16 PM
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Clem just said things that we as Citrus County residents have been thinking since this whole thing happened. Yea Clem dig the Dirt cuz there is bunch of it on Lundsford. Lundsford is a SNAKE and a taker,He needs to keep his hands out of the fundation
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by Shirl
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03/04/08 05:39 PM
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Well Bubba, if you actually had a loved one, let's see how you would feel if something this tragic happened. Mark is trying to protect other children from such tragedy. STFU!!!!!
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by Moonie
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03/04/08 09:37 AM
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What so wrong with a pig gettin' castrated(because it happened on the radio?). Sounds like Bubba's on to something with this fine citizen from Citrus-who is the accountant for the foundation,who's watchin the money. How/why does he get 54k.
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by lancieb
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03/04/08 12:19 AM
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keep the investigating up boys..good work!!
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by jim
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03/04/08 12:11 AM
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continued: lunsford has said numerous times that no money can make for what happened to his daughter. well him taking 54k of charitable donations seems to help. i wonder if mark still goes to the bar he was at instead of watching his daughter
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by Brittony
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03/03/08 09:11 PM
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Im just not understanding why is it that he is getting all this attention.Mean while there are mothers and fathers that have there babys taken all over the world and i hardly hear of the same thing going on with them. He is in it for the money.
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by matt
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03/03/08 08:11 PM
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GO BUBBA
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by Marisa
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03/03/08 06:38 PM
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Mark Lundsford is one of the nicest, most caring people I have ever met. Bubba the fat slob isn't from Citrus, therefore has no right to say he's "sticking up" for us. Jessica's tragedy rocked our entire county, and Mr Lunsford has Citrus behind him.
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by Michelle
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03/03/08 04:06 PM
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I truley beleive that if Mark were at home that night, this would not be an issue. I also beleive that he is profiting from this tragedy. Every time I see him, all I see is a person that is looking to profit in anyway he can for himself. Pathetic.
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by Mel
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03/03/08 11:56 AM
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If Mark had been home taking care of his daughter she would still be alive. Maybe he whould sue himself for putting her in a position to be kidnapped. He has probably never made $54,000 a year honestly anytime in his life. Get a Job Mark!
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by Chuck
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03/03/08 11:35 AM
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Why in the hell didn't one deputy enter Couey's trailer while she was still alive & held captive in a closet and don't give me that crap about a search warrant. They HAD probable cause !!!!
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by jewls
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03/03/08 11:27 AM
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I am so thankful that Bubba can see through this guy. I really hope this opens alot of people's eyes. It is really sad what happen to Mr. Lunsford's daughter. But a death isn't a dollar sign. It is pathedic that Lunsford made a profit over it.
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by da mule
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03/03/08 11:18 AM
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you know he's not doing anything illegal(lawyers make sure of that)but we all know he IS living a whole lot better then he was before the tragedy
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by Ronald
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03/02/08 11:09 AM
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I think lunsford is right about the Citrus County problem, its not only in Citrus its all over Florida, where officer lie to people, and lood for the easy way out, this is a problem with training--but lunsford was at a BAR,SO HE HAS TO ASK HIMSELF??
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by mutroom
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03/02/08 06:58 AM
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one consider the source of the nasty comments. anyone who castrates a poor and innocent pig live, on the air, without pain meds is a very sick, sick person. i can't believe trash like this has been allowed back on the air. how sad.
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by mutroom
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03/02/08 06:56 AM
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leave mark alone. no one can possibly know how he feels, to have his young daughter held captive, to be repeatedly molested and then to die a terrible and slow death, being buried alive.
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by John
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03/02/08 05:17 AM
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Exactly what kind of job and at what pay did Mr. Lunsford give up to run his foundation named after his late daughter?
He might have started out with good intentions, but has gone a bit far fetched with his own programs.
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by Best Buy
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03/02/08 03:04 AM
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FIRE FATSO
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by Truth
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03/02/08 02:25 AM
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I despise Bubba with a passion, but Mark Lunsford is a special kind of jerk. The community gave him all kinds of things and he deserves NOTHING. He failed his own child. He is well known with the criminal element, so stop the sympathy for this jerk
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by Don C
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03/02/08 01:03 AM
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You made the papers again didn't ya Bubba? That's what you wanted. YOU just exploited a little girl's death, you piece of "Bubba". You are a loser hiding behind a microphone and fake support for the law. You only support yourself, fake tough guy.
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by sandi
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03/01/08 11:13 PM
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its widely known here in the bay area that bubba is a disgusting person,inside & out. shame on him, and may all listeners turn his program off.
Lunsford, keep up the good work & dont let that evil man bring you down.god bless,you are an inspiration
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by RE
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03/01/08 09:08 PM
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We were rid of that dirtbag, why did they ever let him back on the air? It is scumbags like Bubba that give decent folk a bad taste in the mouth!
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by James
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03/01/08 09:00 PM
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Mark has done good, however his past and current activities should not be beyound question.
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by Mikey
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03/01/08 08:49 PM
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Go bubba, somebody had to say it.
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by JC
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03/01/08 08:45 PM
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Bubba is such a Ahole!
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by pop
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03/01/08 08:40 PM
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sounds like the sheriffs dept is trying to get back at lumsford thru the radio station what a bunch of losers that sheriffs dept must be even before her body was found i said why aren't they questioning the people who where living in that trailer
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by Dan
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03/01/08 08:39 PM
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Never thought I would agree with Bubba. Lungsford should sue the man that didnt lock the door and got 54K a year. Another round?
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by Mike
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03/01/08 06:48 PM
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Bubba Clem is a loser, don't listen to him or his show.
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by Donnie
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03/01/08 06:46 PM
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Did we really need this fat idiot back on the radio?
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