Posted Nov. 1, 2007 – Popular bail bondsman turned reality TV star Duane “Dog” Chapman is doing damage control after racist comments he made during a phone call to his son became public Wednesday.
LISTEN TO CHAPMAN'S TIRADE
Chapman, whose show “Dog the Bounty Hunter” is a popular A&E cable series, reportedly used the “N”-word several times and berated his son’s girlfriend, who is Black, in a private conversation.
The National Enquirer magazine Web site posted some of the eight-minute-long talk, during which Chapman threatens to fire his son from their bail bondsman business, unless he breaks up with Monique Shinnery.
Chapman admits to using the “N”-word during his bounty hunting work and warns his son that Shinnery may reveal this publicly.
“I’m not gonna take a chance, ever in life, of losing everything I’ve worked for, for 30 years, ’cause some f**king ni**er heard us say ‘ni**er’ and turned us in to Enquirer magazine. Our career is over,” he is recorded saying.
Chapman, who claims to be a born-again Christian, reportedly spoke with his Black pastor Tim Storey and has reached out to the Rev. Al Sharpton to apologize.
“I’m shocked. I’m wrong, I repent,” Chapman told Storey, the pastor says. “Can you believe, Tim, I’m going to be put in the same category as Imus?” Chapman reportedly asked.
The bondsman later released a statement that read in part: “I did not mean to add yet another slap in the face to an entire race of people who have brought so many gifts to this world. I am ashamed of myself and I pledge to do whatever I can to repair this damage I have caused.”
A&E, which airs “Dog” also released a statement that reads in part: “We take this matter very seriously. Pending an investigation, we have suspended production on the series. When the inquiry is concluded, we will take appropriate action.” Yeah, that’s enough to make Dog want to call Rev. Al.
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