Editing Don McLean (section)

===Abuse allegations===

On January 18, 2016, McLean's then-wife Patrisha Shnier McLean alleged that after four hours of "terrorizing" her, McLean pinned her to a bed until she broke free and ran to the bathroom, where she called the police as he tried to break down the door.<ref name="Jackie Account">{{Cite news |title=Patrisha McLean: My 'deeply controlling' ex-husband Don McLean |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/patrisha-mclean-my-deeply-controlling-ex-husband-don-mclean-1.4407458 |access-date=January 26, 2023 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref> McLean was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, and pled guilty to domestic violence assault, criminal restraint, criminal mischief and making domestic violence threats. McLean paid $3,660 in fines, and was not sentenced to any jail time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barry |first=Ellen |date=October 20, 2019 |title=In Maine, a Celebrity Domestic Violence Case Continues to Send Out Ripples |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/20/us/domestic-violence-don-mclean.html |access-date=January 26, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Under Maine's [[Deferred disposition|deferred disposition law]], the State agreed to dismiss the domestic violence assault charge if McLean complied with the court's orders for one year, and the charge was expunged a year later.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 21, 2017 |title='American Pie' singer's domestic assault charge dismissed |url=https://apnews.com/article/92d824a00587430eacd2cd50d4c6f6dd |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref> Shnier McLean filed for divorce, citing "adultery, cruel and abusive treatment, and irreconcilable differences".<ref name=":2" /> McLean denied that he physically abused Shnier McLean, and his lawyer released a statement stating McLean agreed to the plea deal in the interest of privacy.<ref name=":1" /> In March 2017, a Maine court granted Shnier-McLean's request for a 10-year protection order against McLean.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Bill |last=Trotter |date=March 9, 2017 |title=Don McLean's ex-wife granted two-year protection order against folk singer |url=https://wgme.com/news/local/don-mcleans-ex-wife-granted-two-year-protection-order-against-folk-singer |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=WGME |language=en}}</ref>

In a 2020 interview, Shnier McLean alleged McLean had created a cult-like household, remarking, "I do feel there is an element of brainwashing there. I relate to a lot of the things they say about cults like the charismatic leader, and how their version of things becomes your version".<ref name="Jackie Account" /> McLean's daughter Jackie told ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' in 2021 that her father was emotionally abusive and, like her mother, stated her father created a cultish environment.<ref name=":1" /> According to Jackie, McLean used paralyzing verbal attacks, forced isolation, and threats to withhold love or financial support. The article alleged that communications between Jackie and McLean suggested "a pattern of asserting control and manipulation over Jackie, her actions and memories, and a seeming drive by the elder McLean to maintain a certain public image". In one email, McLean wrote to his daughter, "unless you support me publicly and frequently you should not expect me to lift a finger for you nor will I give you another red cent."<ref name=":1" />

When interviewed for the article, McLean admitted to some aspects of Jackie's account, but denied that his behavior constituted abuse. He also mentioned that he had grown up in a physically abusive household, where he was "hurt a lot by my sister, my mother, my father; I was hit a lot."<ref name=":1" /> McLean denied this in a later interview, saying; "Absolutely not true. I was never abused as a child at all."<ref>{{cite web |title=Don McLean Keeps Evolving Because 'I Don't Want to Be in a Dead Relationship with Music or Another Person' (Exclusive) |url=https://people.com/why-don-mclean-keeps-evolving-exclusive-8648389 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref>