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Driver Kurt Busch Investigated For Domestic Violence - Reinstated by NASCAR
Last edited Mon Mar 16, 2015, 11:07 PM - Edit history (8)
USA Today: The Dover (Delaware) Police Department is investigating an allegation of domestic assault that involves NASCAR driver Kurt Busch. According to the Associated Press, his ex-girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll...(who) heads the Armed Forces Foundation...has filed court documents requesting Busch stay away from her and her son...She also wants the driver to be evaluated by a psychiatrist and a certified domestic violence treatment agency...
According to the documents...Busch was upset Sept. 26 after a poor qualifying run to set up the first Chase for the Sprint Cup elimination race... He "was verbally abusive to her and said he wished he had a gun so that he could kill himself..." (H)e accused her of "having spies everywhere and having a camera on the bus to watch him..."
The documents...indicated...he "grabbed her face and smashed her head three times against the wall next to the bed..." Driscoll, 36, says she pushed the 2004 Sprint Cup champion away from her and fled the bedroom, taking safety in a neighboring motorhome where she put an ice pack on her head and neck. She said the incident resulted in severe pain, difficulty breathing and neck bruising...
Busch, 36...has not been charged...A hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 2...Busch has retained Rusty Hardin, the same Houston-based lawyer who is representing NFL player Adrian Peterson, who was charged with child abuse.
According to the documents...Busch was upset Sept. 26 after a poor qualifying run to set up the first Chase for the Sprint Cup elimination race... He "was verbally abusive to her and said he wished he had a gun so that he could kill himself..." (H)e accused her of "having spies everywhere and having a camera on the bus to watch him..."
The documents...indicated...he "grabbed her face and smashed her head three times against the wall next to the bed..." Driscoll, 36, says she pushed the 2004 Sprint Cup champion away from her and fled the bedroom, taking safety in a neighboring motorhome where she put an ice pack on her head and neck. She said the incident resulted in severe pain, difficulty breathing and neck bruising...
Busch, 36...has not been charged...A hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 2...Busch has retained Rusty Hardin, the same Houston-based lawyer who is representing NFL player Adrian Peterson, who was charged with child abuse.
I hope she went to the hospital afterwards -- but I suppose that if she had, Busch would have been charged. And I find his tinfoilhattery to be particularly disturbing: I'm almost hoping he was under the influence of something.
rocktivity
11 replies
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...are tennis and figure skating. Unless you count Tonya Harding. 
Martina Hingis Allegedly Assaults Estranged Husband Thibault Hutin, Steals Credit Cards, Passport, Report Says...
http://www.ibtimes.com/martina-hingis-allegedly-assaults-estranged-husband-thibault-hutin-steals-credit-cards-passport
Thibault Hutin, estranged husband of former top-ranked women’s tennis player Martina Hingis, claims that the tennis star and her mother assaulted him on Monday.
Hutin claims that he was at his home when he was confronted by Hingis, her mother and her mother’s boyfriend, Swiss newspaper SonntagsBlick reports via a translation by Guyism and The Big Lead. According to his account, the confrontation quickly turned violent.
“In the course of [the dispute] Martina and her mother, Melanie Molitor, pounced on me, beat me and scratched [me],” Hutin told Blick, according to Guyism’s translation. Hutin added that Mario Widmer, the longtime boyfriend of Hingis’ mother, joined in on the assault, striking him in the head with a DVD player.
When the alleged assault was over and Hingis had left his house, Hutin reportedly realized that his passport and credit cards had been stolen, Blick reports. Hutin turned the matter over to local police, who reportedly forced Hingis and her family members to return the stolen personal effects.
..snip
Not sure if this is exactly domestic violence, but...
TMZ Sports spoke with Busch's attorney Rusty Hardin who tells us, "This allegation is a complete fabrication by a woman who has refused to accept the end of a relationship and Mr. Busch vehemently denies her allegations in every respect...The Dover Police Department has been informed that Mr. Busch will fully cooperate with their investigation and he expects to be vindicated when the entire truth of the situation comes to light."
And there's this -- we're told ... days after the incident, Busch's lawyer was contacted by a person claiming to represent Driscoll looking to negotiate a monetary settlement. We're told that attorney resigned from representing Driscoll just days later. We also spoke with police who tell us Driscoll didn't report the alleged assault until Nov. 5th -- six weeks after the incident.
And there's this -- we're told ... days after the incident, Busch's lawyer was contacted by a person claiming to represent Driscoll looking to negotiate a monetary settlement. We're told that attorney resigned from representing Driscoll just days later. We also spoke with police who tell us Driscoll didn't report the alleged assault until Nov. 5th -- six weeks after the incident.
Well, that depends on exactly when the relationship ended, doesn't it -- before the "incident", or after?
rocktivity
Last edited Sun May 24, 2020, 01:54 PM - Edit history (2)
ESPN.com: The NASCAR driver known as "The Outlaw" testified...(that) in El Paso, Texas...Driscoll left in camouflage gear only to return later wearing a trench coat over an evening gown covered with blood. A day earlier, Busch said his ex-girlfriend told him she was a mercenary who killed people for a living and had shown him pictures of bodies with gunshot wounds...
Driscoll said Busch assaulted her in his motorhome at Dover International Speedway...grabbing her by the throat and slamming her head into a wall three times. Busch and his attorneys have denied the allegations, which are the subject of a separate criminal investigation...Busch has testified that he repeatedly told Driscoll to leave after she showed up unannounced at his motorhome, finally cupping her cheeks in his hands, looking her in the eye and telling her she had to go. "He advised that her head tapped the wall as he was doing that," Detective James Wood testified...recounting Busch's interview with Dover police in November.
...In an interview late Tuesday, Driscoll called Busch's assertion "ludicrous," saying he took it "straight from a fictional movie script" she has been working on for eight years and that he has proofread.
Driscoll said Busch assaulted her in his motorhome at Dover International Speedway...grabbing her by the throat and slamming her head into a wall three times. Busch and his attorneys have denied the allegations, which are the subject of a separate criminal investigation...Busch has testified that he repeatedly told Driscoll to leave after she showed up unannounced at his motorhome, finally cupping her cheeks in his hands, looking her in the eye and telling her she had to go. "He advised that her head tapped the wall as he was doing that," Detective James Wood testified...recounting Busch's interview with Dover police in November.
...In an interview late Tuesday, Driscoll called Busch's assertion "ludicrous," saying he took it "straight from a fictional movie script" she has been working on for eight years and that he has proofread.
I doubt that professional assassins go around telling people that they're professional assassins. It just isn't -- well, professional. But if she isn't a professional assassin, what DOES she do for a living?
Wikipedia: Driscoll is the Chief Executive Officer of Frontline Defense Systems LLC (FDS), a company that provides solutions relating to surveillance systems...
Driscoll serves as President of the Armed Forces Foundation (AFF), an organization devoted to providing financial assistance, morale activities, career and educational opportunities to wounded service men and women and their families...
In 2008, Driscoll and Celia Straus co-authored the book, Hidden Battles on Unseen Fronts, Stories of American Soldiers with Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD...
In 2010 Driscoll became the Executive Producer of the documentary That Which I Love Destroys Me...about two elite warriors’ firsthand accounts of their struggles with PTSD after returning home and reintegrate back into civilian society.
In 2011, Driscoll became part of the founding board of directors for the Infinite Hero Foundation. The mission of Infinite Hero Foundation is to combat the most difficult front line issues – mental and physical – facing returning military heroes and their families.
Driscoll serves as President of the Armed Forces Foundation (AFF), an organization devoted to providing financial assistance, morale activities, career and educational opportunities to wounded service men and women and their families...
In 2008, Driscoll and Celia Straus co-authored the book, Hidden Battles on Unseen Fronts, Stories of American Soldiers with Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD...
In 2010 Driscoll became the Executive Producer of the documentary That Which I Love Destroys Me...about two elite warriors’ firsthand accounts of their struggles with PTSD after returning home and reintegrate back into civilian society.
In 2011, Driscoll became part of the founding board of directors for the Infinite Hero Foundation. The mission of Infinite Hero Foundation is to combat the most difficult front line issues – mental and physical – facing returning military heroes and their families.
A defense contractor, author and military fundraiser by the tender age of thirty-six?
Skirts and Scuffs.com: Beginning her career as a government employee, Patricia shared that she always had a huge interest in the technology aspect of intelligence and homeland security, especially growing up near the Mexican border. “Obviously a big concern of ours was drug trafficking, stolen cars and people trafficking. It was something of big interest to me.” Her father was employed with U.S. Customs, Aviation and she found it to be intriguing because of the missions and fighting illegal drug activities.
Additionally, her maternal grandfather was a spy and Army Air Corps aviator who fought battles in conflicts from World War II through Vietnam. “He did all kinds of missions throughout the world and disappeared a lot. He was a really neat guy, always fascinating stories and I think that growing up as a kid it was something that very much interested me so I started my defense company which has provided a lot of solutions to the government on different aspects that I can't talk about.”
Additionally, her maternal grandfather was a spy and Army Air Corps aviator who fought battles in conflicts from World War II through Vietnam. “He did all kinds of missions throughout the world and disappeared a lot. He was a really neat guy, always fascinating stories and I think that growing up as a kid it was something that very much interested me so I started my defense company which has provided a lot of solutions to the government on different aspects that I can't talk about.”
Apparently she can't talk about the government work she started out doing, either. Is she the Valerie Plame of her generation? And if so, why is calling attention to herself with this legal action? And wouldn't a trained assassin have a defense against having her throat grabbed?
rocktivity
Last edited Wed Feb 18, 2015, 12:49 PM - Edit history (2)
DelawareOnline.com: A Kent County Family Court judge has ordered NASCAR's Kurt Busch to stay away from his ex-girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll...Busch has to stay 100 yards away from Driscoll, her home and workplace. At NASCAR races he has to maintain the maximum "practicable" distance from her and not attempt to contact her...Busch is also not allowed to contact Driscoll by phone, email or any other means and has to be evaluated for mental health problems related to anger control and impulse control. He also may not be allowed to purchase or possess firearms or ammunition...The decision concludes a long, drawn-out no-contact order hearing between Busch and Driscoll...
Last September, on the night of the alleged abuse, Driscoll claims she visited Busch out of concern for his mental state after a breakup and a poor race performance. Driscoll, who brought her son with her that night, said in court she became concerned after he texted her that he was on the floor, crying after watching (a) Brad Pitt movie...
But Rusty Hardin, Busch's attorney, said Driscoll showed up unannounced and broke into the driver's motor home...and instead claimed she was a jilted ex-lover who was determined to ruin the driver's career...they plan to appeal the judge's order. On the stand, Busch contended that he never slammed her head, never grabbed her by the throat or pushed her head against the wall. Instead, he says he cupped her face and told her to leave. A Dover police detective testified that Busch had told him the same thing, but also that Driscoll's head tapped the wall as he cupped her face...
Last September, on the night of the alleged abuse, Driscoll claims she visited Busch out of concern for his mental state after a breakup and a poor race performance. Driscoll, who brought her son with her that night, said in court she became concerned after he texted her that he was on the floor, crying after watching (a) Brad Pitt movie...
But Rusty Hardin, Busch's attorney, said Driscoll showed up unannounced and broke into the driver's motor home...and instead claimed she was a jilted ex-lover who was determined to ruin the driver's career...they plan to appeal the judge's order. On the stand, Busch contended that he never slammed her head, never grabbed her by the throat or pushed her head against the wall. Instead, he says he cupped her face and told her to leave. A Dover police detective testified that Busch had told him the same thing, but also that Driscoll's head tapped the wall as he cupped her face...
Any chance of retrieving that text? And who broke up with who?
No doubt Busch isn't happy about having to submit to a psychological evaluation. But if there's nothing wrong with him, he should be able to pass with flying colors, right?
rocktivity
ESPN.com: NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kurt Busch has been suspended indefinitely, according to ESPN's Marty Smith and multiple reports.
Earlier Friday it was ruled that Busch smashed his ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll's head against his motor home wall Sept. 26 at Dover International Speedway, according to the conclusions of a Kent County (Del.) family court commissioner who granted Driscoll's request for a protective order Monday. "The Court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that, on September 26, 2014, (Busch) committed an act of domestic violence against (Driscoll) by manually strangling her by placing his left hand on her throat, while placing his right hand on her chin and face and smashing her head into the wall of his motor home," (the) commissioner...wrote...
...(Busch is) require(d) "to be evaluated by a licensed mental health professional" and complete any further steps for treatment that person recommends...he (is) not require(d)...to enter into a "batterer's intervention program," because...Busch did not profile as a habitual "power and control batterer."
...(According to the) opinion released Friday...Driscoll's version of the events that night was more credible..Driscoll characterized Busch, the 2004 Cup champion, as battling alcoholism and depression leading up to the alleged assault. Busch testified he was afraid of Driscoll, whom he believed was a trained assassin because of the stories and photos she had shared with him.
Busch has asked (the commissioner) to reconsider the ruling, (who) has still not decided whether to reopen the case.
Busch was scheduled to race Sunday...in the Daytona 500, the sport's biggest event.
Earlier Friday it was ruled that Busch smashed his ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll's head against his motor home wall Sept. 26 at Dover International Speedway, according to the conclusions of a Kent County (Del.) family court commissioner who granted Driscoll's request for a protective order Monday. "The Court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that, on September 26, 2014, (Busch) committed an act of domestic violence against (Driscoll) by manually strangling her by placing his left hand on her throat, while placing his right hand on her chin and face and smashing her head into the wall of his motor home," (the) commissioner...wrote...
...(Busch is) require(d) "to be evaluated by a licensed mental health professional" and complete any further steps for treatment that person recommends...he (is) not require(d)...to enter into a "batterer's intervention program," because...Busch did not profile as a habitual "power and control batterer."
...(According to the) opinion released Friday...Driscoll's version of the events that night was more credible..Driscoll characterized Busch, the 2004 Cup champion, as battling alcoholism and depression leading up to the alleged assault. Busch testified he was afraid of Driscoll, whom he believed was a trained assassin because of the stories and photos she had shared with him.
Busch has asked (the commissioner) to reconsider the ruling, (who) has still not decided whether to reopen the case.
Busch was scheduled to race Sunday...in the Daytona 500, the sport's biggest event.
Well, that's it, then, especially if rehab is in his immediate future. Like I said, I think he's more worried about not surviving a psychological evaluation than anything else.
rocktivity
Last edited Sun Feb 22, 2015, 03:36 PM - Edit history (2)
BleacherReport.com:
...MRN radio reported Chevrolet has also suspended its relationship with Busch at this time...(and that) the appeal (of the NASCAR suspension) will take place on Saturday.
...MRN radio reported Chevrolet has also suspended its relationship with Busch at this time...(and that) the appeal (of the NASCAR suspension) will take place on Saturday.
ESPN:...NASCAR appeals are heard by a three-member panel selected from a list of former drivers, racing promoters and racing executives in the NASCAR rule book. During the appeal, NASCAR will present its evidence, Busch will make his argument, and then they both are permitted opportunities for rebuttal. Both sides can bring witnesses but not legal counsel, and the panelists can summon any NASCAR member from whom they want to hear. If Busch loses the appeal, he can make one last appeal to former Gulfstream president Bryan Moss...
...Busch...was suspended in 2012 by NASCAR for threatening a reporter, and...for the final two races of the 2005 season by Roush-Fenway Racing after he was pulled over by police in Arizona...
Busch's attorney, Rusty Hardin...said in a statement Friday afternoon: "We assure everyone, including NASCAR, that this action against Mr. Busch will turn out to be a travesty of justice, apparent to all, as this story continues to unfold." Busch is basing his request for reconsideration on the protective order on new evidence his attorneys claim...would show Driscoll is not credible...Included in that evidence, according to the motion for reconsideration, is Beverly Young, whom Driscoll considers her mother although they are not biologically related, stating that she did not believe Driscoll's claims...
Driscoll characterized Busch...as battling alcoholism and depression leading up to the alleged assault. Busch testified he was afraid of Driscoll, whom he believed was a trained assassin because of the stories and photos she had shared with him...
...Busch...was suspended in 2012 by NASCAR for threatening a reporter, and...for the final two races of the 2005 season by Roush-Fenway Racing after he was pulled over by police in Arizona...
Busch's attorney, Rusty Hardin...said in a statement Friday afternoon: "We assure everyone, including NASCAR, that this action against Mr. Busch will turn out to be a travesty of justice, apparent to all, as this story continues to unfold." Busch is basing his request for reconsideration on the protective order on new evidence his attorneys claim...would show Driscoll is not credible...Included in that evidence, according to the motion for reconsideration, is Beverly Young, whom Driscoll considers her mother although they are not biologically related, stating that she did not believe Driscoll's claims...
Driscoll characterized Busch...as battling alcoholism and depression leading up to the alleged assault. Busch testified he was afraid of Driscoll, whom he believed was a trained assassin because of the stories and photos she had shared with him...
rocktivity
rocktivity
NBC Sports.com: Busch, indefinitely suspended Feb. 20, has signed NASCAR’s terms and conditions for consideration of reinstatement, NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications vice president David Higdon told NASCAR Talk Monday morning. Busch signed the conditions at the end of last week...
Higdon said there is no timetable for Busch to complete his requirements for consideration to be reinstated. Until Busch does so, he’s barred from all NASCAR activity. Regan Smith has driven Busch’s Sprint Cup car the opening two races of the season.
“(What) the outside experts...in this field, specifically in domestic violence...advised us from the beginning was (that) matter what actions we take...it was very, very important for us to provide a road back,’’ said Higdon, who did not reveal the specific terms Busch must meet. “...We did follow that advice. We’re pleased that he has indicated he will begin the program that we have laid out for him."
Higdon said Busch will work with an expert assigned to him, and that expert will provide an assessment to NASCAR.
Higdon said there is no timetable for Busch to complete his requirements for consideration to be reinstated. Until Busch does so, he’s barred from all NASCAR activity. Regan Smith has driven Busch’s Sprint Cup car the opening two races of the season.
“(What) the outside experts...in this field, specifically in domestic violence...advised us from the beginning was (that) matter what actions we take...it was very, very important for us to provide a road back,’’ said Higdon, who did not reveal the specific terms Busch must meet. “...We did follow that advice. We’re pleased that he has indicated he will begin the program that we have laid out for him."
Higdon said Busch will work with an expert assigned to him, and that expert will provide an assessment to NASCAR.
rocktivity
Last edited Sat Dec 1, 2018, 02:07 AM - Edit history (1)
NASCAR.com: NASCAR reinstated Kurt Busch on Wednesday, 12 days after the suspended driver agreed to the sanctioning body's terms and conditions necessary to restore his competition license...
...The decision to approve Busch for all NASCAR-related activity comes six days after the Delaware Attorney General's office declined to file criminal charges against him over an alleged incident of domestic violence..."What I was accused of was a complete fabrication and I never wavered through this whole process because of the confidence in the truth," Busch said. "I had the support of Gene Haas and everyone at SHR and that's where my focus has been in the racing side of it. I never lost that confidence and drive. It's been a humbling experience but it's made me more focused and determined."
"As we stated last week, the elimination of the possibility of criminal charges removed a significant impediment to Kurt Busch's return to full status as a NASCAR member," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. "We therefore have decided to move him to indefinite probation and waive the Chase requirement. He has fully complied with our reinstatement program during his suspension and the health care expert who conducted his evaluation recommended his immediate return. We have made it very clear to Kurt Busch our expectations for him moving forward, which includes participation in a treatment program and full compliance with all judicial requirements as a result of his off-track behavior."
...The decision to approve Busch for all NASCAR-related activity comes six days after the Delaware Attorney General's office declined to file criminal charges against him over an alleged incident of domestic violence..."What I was accused of was a complete fabrication and I never wavered through this whole process because of the confidence in the truth," Busch said. "I had the support of Gene Haas and everyone at SHR and that's where my focus has been in the racing side of it. I never lost that confidence and drive. It's been a humbling experience but it's made me more focused and determined."
"As we stated last week, the elimination of the possibility of criminal charges removed a significant impediment to Kurt Busch's return to full status as a NASCAR member," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. "We therefore have decided to move him to indefinite probation and waive the Chase requirement. He has fully complied with our reinstatement program during his suspension and the health care expert who conducted his evaluation recommended his immediate return. We have made it very clear to Kurt Busch our expectations for him moving forward, which includes participation in a treatment program and full compliance with all judicial requirements as a result of his off-track behavior."
That doesn't make his girlfriend a liar, however -- I think that the state's decision had more to do with their not wanting to delve too deeply into her Valerie Plame-esque professional life. And it sounds like Kurt is still under some rehab-esque conditions. So until next time (and there WILL be a "next time"), perhaps Mr. O'Donnell could turn his attentions to the newest blot on NASCAR's reputation, race team owner Jonathan Cohen...
rocktivity