Michael Richards Agrees To Settle Comedy Club Dispute

Two weeks after unleashing a racist rant at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, Michael Richards has agreed to settle his dispute in person with the men he offended, Access Hollywood has learned.

Richard’s rep, Howard J. Rubenstein, and Gloria Allred (the high-profile attorney representing the men) released the following statement to Access Hollywood:

“Michael Richards would like to apologize in person to the gentleman with whom he had the exchange in the club. After discussions with Gloria Allred, an attorney who represents the man and three others who were with him that night, Michael has agreed that they will all meet in the presence of a retired judge who will facilitate the meeting and help the parties resolve this matter. All concerned are hopeful that a face-to-face meeting will be constructive and begin the necessary process of healing and closure.”

The retired judge will mediate the meeting and determine whether Richards should take any other action to resolve the matter.

A cash settlement could be part of the resolution, Rubenstein added.

“My client Michael hopes to put it behind him,” Rubenstein said.

A time or place for the meeting has not been set.

Rubenstein complimented Allred, who is representing the four comedy club patrons, for recommending the meeting.

Allred, in a statement, said Richards should meet with her clients “to hear the pain that he inflicted on them and to apologize to them.”

Allred and the four men were scheduled to hold a press conference later Friday.

Richards has been on a campaign of contrition since videotaped footage of his Nov. 17 outburst at the Laugh Factory nightclub surfaced on the Internet.

He has apologized on the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s nationally syndicated radio program “Keep Hope Alive” and the “Late Show with David Letterman.”

He also apologized to civil rights leader the Rev. Al Sharpton.

Richards has said the tirade was fueled by anger at being heckled and not bigotry.