Craig Schelske received a public apology from Nashville attorney John Hollins, Sr
In a remarkable turn of events, prominent Nashville divorce attorney John Hollins, Sr. has released a formal letter of apology to Craig Schelske, the former husband of country star Sara Evans. Dated May 5, 2011, the apology stems from remarks Hollins made to People magazine in October of 2006, when Evans and Schelske filed for divorce amid mutual allegations of marital infidelity.
Hollins’ initial filing was an unusually lurid and graphic tale alleging that Schelske had a drinking problem, watched pornography in the family home and maintained extensive computer files that depicted him engaging in sex with multiple other women that included the family’s former nanny, Alison Clinton Lee. Schelske denied the charges, but in a statement to People magazine Hollins said, “Everything we allege, we’ve got photographs to back up.”
Hollins was subsequently unable to produce any of the alleged photographs, and the couple settled their divorce out of court. In 2009 Sara Evans settled a defamation lawsuit with her former nanny for a reported $500,000.
In March of this year Craig Schelske won an undisclosed settlement from Hollins after a lawsuit in which he sued the attorney and his firm for a reported $10 million for slander, false light and other damages. Today’s apology comes in the wake of that victory.
“My firm and I represented Sara Evans in a highly contested divorce from Craig Schelske,” Hollins wrote. “I represented Sara Evans to the best of my ability. I regret that my actions on behalf of Sara Evans caused Mr. Schelske harm in any way.”
In a press statement today, Schelske said, “I thank God, my family, my friends, and those who have stood by me throughout this difficult time in my life.”
Speaking exclusively with Examiner.com, Schelske expressed relief at the prospect of public vindication after a four-year David-and-Goliath fight that he says caused two judges to recuse themselves, among a host of other legal maneuvers. “When this story is finally told, it will read like a Grisham novel,” he said, adding that he knew it would be an uphill fight all the way, but that it was necessary to restore his good name. “I’m a Christian,” he said. “I prayed about this, and the Lord kept delivering.”
Schelske remains extremely circumspect on the subject of his famous ex-wife. “Sara is not my enemy,” he maintained. “John Hollins, Sr., he’s the one who did this.” Schelske politely declined to discuss his ongoing custody battle with Evans, citing the need for his children’s privacy and stressing that the ex-spouses need to be able to effectively co-parent their kids. “I loved my ex-wife with all my heart,” he said in response to questions about their marriage. “I was faithful to her all of the years that we were married. We still have our children to raise.”
The former Republican congressional candidate and executive director of the conservative action group American Destiny said that the lurid nature of Hollins’ allegations made it impossible for him to continue in his work. “It’s been absolute devastation,” he said, acknowledging that it’s probably still too soon for him to re-enter public life, but “I still feel like I’ve got a lot to offer.”
Of course, Hollins’ remarks – coming as they did at a time when Sara Evans was appearing on Dancing With the Stars – made sure that Craig Schelske was instantly vilified on the front page, as well as on TV, radio and web sites all over the world. His vindication is far more gradual as he has found the media less enthusiastic to cover the truth of the story. “The little guy that fights back against the odds gets a little ink,” he said with resignation, “but quotes like Hollins’ receive massive media coverage.”
Still, Schelske is hopeful that Hollins’ public apology will provide the turning point for him in taking back the honor of his name, both for himself and for his children. “I’m looking forward to a bright future,” he said.