Nicole L’Ange is the ex-girlfriend of Tampa Bay radio host Todd “Bubba the Love Sponge” Clem who, on February 23, 2017, filed a petition in Pinellas County Circuit Court seeking an injunction for protection against domestic violence, alleging roughly four years of physical and emotional abuse.1Tampa Bay Times. Bubba Clem’s Ex Seeks Restraining Order, Says Radio Host Has History of Abuse A hearing had been set for March 9, 2017, but the request was dismissed after L’Ange stated the matter had been settled out of court. The terms were not made public, and no criminal charges were filed.2FOX 13 Tampa Bay. Request for Restraining Order Against Bubba Dismissed
What the Petition Alleged
L’Ange, then 35, filed the sworn petition without an attorney against Clem, then 50, describing him as “completely unstable” with a “horrible temper.”3Saint Peters Blog. Bubba Love Sponge Hit With Restraining Order for Domestic Violence She alleged Clem strangled her during a fight, saying he “got on top of me and strangled me,” and claimed she had photographs of the incident. She also alleged he hit the back of her head “to get my attention,” bruised her hand while fighting her for keys, and pushed her to the floor hard enough that she nearly struck her head on a table.1Tampa Bay Times. Bubba Clem’s Ex Seeks Restraining Order, Says Radio Host Has History of Abuse According to the petition, Clem threatened to hurt her if she left the relationship or contacted police.
The petition also described a pattern of post-separation harassment. L’Ange said that after she left the relationship with only her dog, clothes, and car, Clem attempted to “ruin” her and her family. She alleged he sent “humiliating” text messages to her father, created fake social media accounts to harass her and her current boyfriend, and threatened to destroy her career in the Tampa Bay area.4New York Post. Ex-Girlfriend Gets Restraining Order Against Bubba the Love Sponge She further claimed Clem interfered with her ability to collect unemployment benefits, canceled her health insurance, and spoke about her negatively on his radio show, encouraging listeners to “say awful things” about her.3Saint Peters Blog. Bubba Love Sponge Hit With Restraining Order for Domestic Violence
In the filing, L’Ange wrote: “I’ve had to change my number, block email and all other means of communication. He has found out where I’m staying and I’m scared he’s going to show up.”4New York Post. Ex-Girlfriend Gets Restraining Order Against Bubba the Love Sponge She told FOX 13 Tampa Bay that she had never previously reported the alleged abuse to police, citing fear of “backlash.”5FOX 13 Tampa Bay. Abuse Allegations Made by Bubba the Love Sponge’s Ex
What L’Ange Said Publicly
In a FOX 13 interview that aired on February 28, 2017, L’Ange called the relationship “tumultuous” and described Clem as “controlling and threatening.” She told the station: “He kept me in this box and used threats as a means to control me. It’s really difficult right now.” She added: “There was emotional, and instances of physical abuse, and it got to the point where I needed to leave.”5FOX 13 Tampa Bay. Abuse Allegations Made by Bubba the Love Sponge’s Ex
Explaining her decision to go to court, L’Ange said: “To be honest, I didn’t want to go to this length…but when you give somebody so many chances to move on and leave you alone you have no options.”5FOX 13 Tampa Bay. Abuse Allegations Made by Bubba the Love Sponge’s Ex In a separate statement to the Tampa Bay Times, she asked that her privacy be respected “during this difficult time.”1Tampa Bay Times. Bubba Clem’s Ex Seeks Restraining Order, Says Radio Host Has History of Abuse
How the Case Ended
When the story broke on February 28, 2017, neither Clem nor his attorney could be reached by the Tampa Bay Times or FOX 13.1Tampa Bay Times. Bubba Clem’s Ex Seeks Restraining Order, Says Radio Host Has History of Abuse Genesis Communications, which broadcast Clem’s morning show on AM-820, said it was “working to understand all of the facts of the situation” before taking any programming action.5FOX 13 Tampa Bay. Abuse Allegations Made by Bubba the Love Sponge’s Ex Clem later denied the allegations on his radio show.2FOX 13 Tampa Bay. Request for Restraining Order Against Bubba Dismissed
The scheduled March 9 hearing did not go forward. According to FOX 13, the request for the restraining order was dismissed after L’Ange stated the matter had been settled out of court. The terms of any settlement were not made public, and no criminal charges were filed in connection with her allegations.2FOX 13 Tampa Bay. Request for Restraining Order Against Bubba Dismissed
The Relationship
L’Ange and Clem met in 2012.1Tampa Bay Times. Bubba Clem’s Ex Seeks Restraining Order, Says Radio Host Has History of Abuse4New York Post. Ex-Girlfriend Gets Restraining Order Against Bubba the Love Sponge L’Ange told FOX 13 the relationship lasted approximately four and a half years and that she ended it in November 2016.5FOX 13 Tampa Bay. Abuse Allegations Made by Bubba the Love Sponge’s Ex The court filing noted that the couple had lived together at Clem’s home in St. Petersburg. L’Ange had worked at Beasley Media Group until January 2017.