A student group from the University of California, Los Angeles, backtracked on its decision to present singer-songwriter Don McLean with a lifetime achievement award upon learning that he had pleaded guilty to charges of domestic violence.
The 73-year-old musician, famous for his 1971 hit song "American Pie," announced on Monday that he was to be presented with the George and Ira Gershwin Award for Lifetime Musical Achievement by the UCLA Student Alumni Association, The Press Herald reported.
Hours later, the award plan went bye-bye after a reporter contacted the presenters regarding the charges against McLean, who was arrested in 2016 on charges of domestic violence against his wife at their home in Camden, Maine. The musician pleaded guilty and the couple later divorced.
Responding to the news, UCLA released a statement noting its decision to rescind the award.
"SAA rejects any behavior – including violence and the threat of violence in all its forms – that does not uphold the True Bruin Values. We extend our support to survivors of domestic violence," the statement said, according to The Press Herald.
It was not long after the announcement that McLean blasted UCLA on social media.
"You awarded me your George and Ira Gershwin life time achievement award and then took it back because you found out about my squabble with my ex wife," he wrote in a post to Facebook. "This has been all over the internet for 3 years. Are you people morons? This is settled law."
McLean then pointed to the college admissions scam as a measurement of fairness
"Maybe I need to give you some bribe money to grease the college wheels," he continued, "Don’t ever come near me again unless you offer me an apology for the damage you have done me. I am guilty of nothing to do with assault and you had better make that clear. We live in a dark age of accusation and not law."
According to The Press Herald: “McLean was convicted of domestic violence criminal threatening, criminal restraint, and criminal mischief against his former wife, Patrisha McLean, in Knox County Court on July 20, 2016. Charges of domestic violence assault, domestic violence terrorizing, and obstructing report of a crime were dismissed… as part of [a] plea agreement.”
The singer’s lawyer said that the domestic violence assault charge was “dismissed” and “was the heart of the charges brought against the singer… In short, Mr. McLean, contrary to media reports, did not assault – and all that implies – anyone at any time.”
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