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MLK’s Youngest Son Calls His Siblings’ Lawsuit Ludicrous
July 14th, 2008He said he was stunned that his sister and brother were taking him to court
(L-to-R: Dexter, Bernice, Martin Luther King III)
The youngest son of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said Saturday that he was “blindsided” by the lawsuit filed by his brother and sister, accusing him of pocketing money from his parents’ estate. “It totally blindsided me,” Dexter Scott King told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution of the suit filed against him by Martin Luther King III and Bernice King. “I think maybe it was a reckless attempt to express their grievances. They are false claims, and I will be addressing that accordingly.” Specifically, the lawsuit, filed in Atlanta on Thursday, accuses Dexter of mishandling funds from King Inc., hiding documents from his siblings and taking money out of the Coretta Scott King estate. At the center of the controversy are millions in King family assets, including some $32 million in contributions from the city of Atlanta to acquire 10,000 pages of Martin Luther King’s writings and other documents. It’s not the first time that the children of the slain civil rights leader and the late Coretta Scott King have been at odds regarding the King Center in Atlanta and the handling of their parents’ estate and legacies. Dexter and Bernice, who sit on the board of the King Center, say they want Dexter, who is President of King Inc., to convene the board. “He owes Martin and Bernice an accounting of what has happened with all of the money,” said Jock Smith, the attorney representing Martin III and Bernice. “We’re trying to get an accounting as to the financing and well-being of the estate. The way to do that is to get records, books and accounting.” Said Dexter, speaking to the Journal-Constitution from his home in the Los Angeles community of Malibu, “We are private family. It is a private business matter, you know, a family dispute, if you will. It’s probably blown out of proportion, but until I’ve had a chance to thoroughly review the complaint, it’s just kind of difficult for me to address it.”
I just watched a show on CNN called “Daughter’s Of Legacy” and the daughter was saying that no money in the world can stop her family from uniting and keeping there family together…And to hear this,especially from the KING FAMILY, is very disappointing…
Money is the root of all evil, A family divided will allway fall a part. I wonder what Mr King is saying about this.
this story is crazy i will not let my family breack up or stop talking over money
If there are financial problems they certainly need to be addressed however what disturbs me is that its being done in such a public forum for such a private and well respected family if the suit was filed to get dexters attention well bernice and martin 3 you now have it do what martin lawrence said in boomerang talk man we suppose to be family even though he said boys you get my point please do not drag your familys good name through the mud I beg you not too dr king and your mom stood for soooo much they had to be the most respected couple in black america now show them your better then petty bickering
Dexter should leave the blonde blue eyed honeys alone. That is where his money is going!
Whats wrong with the King children? The same thing thats wrong with the rest (about 75-80%) of the people walking the planet….That money (and that much of it?) will drive you crazy, literally turn brother against brother and/or sister in this instance. We’ll never know the exact circumstances behind all this but it truly is a sad day for all America to see and hear this kind of thing is taking place with (of all families) this family, specifically!!! We’ve got to do better. Hey whatever happened to that show with Charlie Murphy hosting? It was great, a helluva of alot better than that idiocy “HELL DATE” and even worse “THE BOOT!!!” Thats what your grown viewers are talking about BET, exactly that!!! Thats why we surf you instead watch you…..
It is not money that is the root of all evil. It is the love of money that is the root of all evil. It is true that money is power. Money starts out as a good thing and money is great to have. The problem starts when we no longer have the money, but the money has us and it consumes our thoughts and runs our lives.
It is sad that media always finds negative ways to expose famous people. The problem that is going on in this family is not new. There are families that go through this every day, but they are not exposed to this degree.
The best thing to do is to be a part of the solution and pray for this family and others who are having this same issue. Don’t be a part of the problem by helping to spread gossip.
Why are you all so shocked by this situation. All of them were small when their father died. Dexter is out in cali living good, and the rest of them are struggling.
Why do they have control of the money being raised anyway.
They should just split the money and move on.
Just a correction on part of a statement meda…. Money is not the root of all evil. The LOVE of money is the root of all evil.
I am sorry to hear about these siblings taking each other to court. It is sad if any sibling takes another to court. I pray that they are able to reconcile with one another without the pubic’s interfering. If Dexter is having financial trouble, that is something that the family should talk to him about, not take to a lawyer so that they can make a spectacle of it. Families need to communicate effectivey with each other. If someone needs help that is nothing to gossip about, but an opportunity to help. What is important is the relationship, not the money.
Dexter, MLK, Jr. III, and Bernice,
Please don’t allow Satan to break up your family. Please come together with God leading you in this matter. If Dexter has mishandled the money, he knows that he is selling his soul to the Devil. We pray that he is not allowing the love of money to cause strife in the family. Satan is having good time with this situation and please do not let Satan have his way with your family.
Please, please, please come together asking God to lead you, guide you , and show you the way.
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What does this action say to White America? What does this say to the World about Black People and the so called Black Unity and Pride?
What does this represent, especially in light of whar Jesse Jackson has said and done (Barack Obama) to further denegrate Black People and the possibility of our rightful role in leadership?
It seems to fal right back to “WILLIE LYNCH. Willie is sittng right on uor shoulders. This “NIGGER IN THE WOODPILE” syndrome will not end until willie lynch is dead! As long as we continue to covet what is not trully ours, we will fail to capture the prize due to a wandering eye. The Green One. The goal is to “Reach the Promised Land.” Keep your eyes on THE PRIZE BLACK AMERICA!
Gregory V. Boulware
http://www.BoulwareEnterprises.com
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This is not Dexter’s private bank account – if he can’t maintain his lavish lifestyle then shame on him. The money is donations from various companies, individuals, etc. to help fund and keep the MLK library which houses important speeches, memos, etc
Yes he needs to address this issue. And so what if the family’s dirty laundry is being aired out to the public. Maybe now he’ll definitely come up with the necessary records to show where the money went, and hopefully not into his pockets..
Honestly this situation is sad and I can only imagine the looks upon their parents faces as they look down on their children. There has to be a better way of resolving this matter other than taking their own brother to court. Personally I feel that Dexter’s brother and sister have their own agendas for going this far and instead of being petty they need to follow their parents lead on how to treat one another.
People, we must not forget that the King family is just like every other family. If Dexter did steal any money from the rest of his siblings, then this lawsuit is only to justify matter not cause more problems. Because as hard as times are right now, if i think I’m missing some money, I’ll try to find out who got it too.
JAM
Your comment is so true. Nothing further needs to be said.
The Coretta Social Club was founded in 1968 on the MS University for Women Campus in Columbus, MS. Our devotion is promote unity and community service throughout our campus and neighborhoods. We, the members, are sadden to see that the children of our foremother, Coretta Scott King, are in dispute. We wish they come to a compromise without breaking the family apart. God bless you all.
“The LOVE of MONEY is the root of ALL evil”
It’s quite disturbing in the sense that MLK Jr. was non-violence, and here are his offsprings, taking each other to court. Why not communicate in private as family and make wrong, right. This is such a gut-punch to a remarkable legacy. Why? It not only makes them look bad, it makes the entire black race look bad. Lord have mercy enough already! FYI, don’t invite the world into the problem,unless it is the last recourse.
This is really sad, because that’s what they want us to do. To fight and hate one another.Im sure there’s plenty enough money for them to all have. Why not go to your brother and ask him if theres a prolem? remember this..am i my brother’s keeper? yes you are.. Martin luther King , was a christian man,a humble man, a black man. don’t do what the media says about us all anyway…..keep the march the way your mother and father would have.
Sandra, why don’t you quote the quote the right way. For the “LOVE” of MOney is the root of all evil!