Michael Darby Of ‘Real Housewives of Potomac’ Responds To Footage Being Released From Alleged Assault
Last year, Ashley Darby’s husband, Michael Darby was accused of groping a cameraman while on set during a taping of The Real Housewives of Potomac, and although Ashley and Michael both tried their best to convince viewers that the allegations were false, footage from the alleged victim’s camera was released.
In the video, the cameraman can be heard saying, “Please, don’t do that. Don’t do that,” after Michael says, “Hey bud.” Later in the footage, Michael is heard saying, “I didn’t touch your butt,” twice.
Michael has reportedly responded to the footage being released, That Grape Juice reports.
“On one hand, I was amused by the production company’s amateurish attempt to affect the viewers opinion by first showing video that clearly does not show any improper action by me and then try to couple that with another video which was taken 4 hours later by a different cameraman of a conversation with a cousin of a cast member — not the cameraman — who whenever I see him refers to a well-documented, harmless event that occurred in season one,” Michael said in a statement.
“On the other hand it shows the level people will stoop to in order to get ratings.”
“This was a serious situation where an employee of the production company tried to take advantage of my wife and I by making up a story to try to profit from it,” Michael continued.
“The fact that the production company appears to endorse his actions by splicing together disconnected and unrelated events in order to also profit is really scary for people in my position.”
Fans of the RHOP had a lot to say about the alleged incident and footage being released on social media. Check it out below.
https://twitter.com/_KingKarabo/status/1155710258364461056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1155710258364461056&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthatgrapejuice.net%2Fentertainment%2F2019%2F07%2Fbravo-releases-footage-from-realhousewivesofpotomac-alleged-assault-michael-darby-responds%2F
#ReceiptsByBravo #RHOP Shame on you Michael Darby! Keep your damn hands to yourself Mr. Giggles! pic.twitter.com/RJudICP75C
— Chrissy 🦋 (@Kiskiss08) July 29, 2019
I guess Michael Darby didn’t bank on Bravo TV supporting its employee? #RHOP
— Asha (@ashaprovocateur) July 29, 2019
Ima just jump out on the limb and say that Michael Darby is a predator and Ashley is either willfully blind or covering up for him #rhop
— Texas Bamma (@APimpNamedC) July 29, 2019
As I told y'all, Michael just acknowledged he sexually assaulted the cameraman on film...where is the #MeToo justice for the cameraman? He needs to sue @_AshleyDarby and Michael! #RHOP
— All About The Tea ☕ (@AllAboutDaTea) July 29, 2019
In September 2018, Bravo had announced that Michael was suspended from filming. “Bravo has comprehensive policies and guidelines relating to the safety of cast and crew which production companies are required to follow, in addition to their own protocols they have in place,” the network told PEOPLE.
“We take all allegations seriously and then proceed accordingly with our producing partners,” they continued. “Bravo and Truly Original, the production company for ‘The Real Housewives of Potomac,’ have suspended filming with Michael Darby.”
Earlier this month, Ashley and Michael welcomed their first child together, a son.
“Michael and I are overwhelmed with joy and love,” Ashley told PEOPLE regarding the birth of her son, who weighed in at 8 lbs., 1 oz. “Dean is absolutely perfect. We couldn’t be happier.”
“It is with the biggest, most glowingly happy hearts that we introduce you to our beautiful son, Dean Michael Darby,” Ashley wrote on Instagram on Wednesday (July 31). “He was born on 7/7/19 at 9:17am, weighing 8lbs 1oz.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0a_svVJf1w/
