Nashville Television Station Settles with Spring Break Teens

(ATLANTA, GA) — Nashville Television Station WTVF – Channel 5 reached a settlement with 2 girls who were featured in their “Spring Break Tapes” series that aired in 2000.

Emily Barnhart and Destiny McCarrick were two 17 year old seniors at Hendersonville High School in Tennessee when they were featured in the station’s spring break expose. Barnhart and McCarrick were shown riding in a car in Panama City Beach, FL wearing bikinis as the report was filed on the air.

The girl’s attorney, David Gold argued that the news series stated his clients were involved with the alcohol, drugs and sexual activities that were the focus of the spring break feature. Taking advantage of a change in the Tennessee law: “false light invasion of privacy”, Gold said the news piece portrayed the girls in a false way. In the original filing in Davidson County Circuit Court the girls were seeking $1 million each in damages. Gold added, “My clients are happy with the terms of the agreement.” Although not being reached, it was reported that McCarrick is living in Nashville and working as a telemarketer while Barnhart has moved out of the area to Idaho.

About the Reporter:

Rick C. Limpert is the owner and President of SBC Photography in Atlanta (SBCPhotog.com). He covered the Gold Club trial for AINews.com and covers events in the Southeast and across the nation. His e-mail is SBCPhotog@Aol.com