Bravo Suspends Real Housewives Of Potomac’s Michael Darby After Sexual Assault Allegations

Real Housewives of Potomac star Michael Darby has been accused of inappropriately touching a crew member on-set.

The 72-year-old allegedly groped cameraman Orville Palmer while filming for the show on September 1, and is now officially being charged with felony assault and misdemeanor improper sexual conduct.

Palmer reportedly told Darby to stop and then reported his behavior right away.

A day after the charge, Bravo announced that the show would continue filming without Michael, who is married to Housewife Ashley Darby.

A statement released by the network to People read:

“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. We take all allegations seriously and then proceed accordingly with our producing partners.”

A statement was also released by producing partner Truly Original:

“Truly Original’s number one priority is the safety of our employees, contractors, vendors and others that work with us,” they said. “We take all allegations of sexual and other misconduct seriously, and have stringent policies, as well as training, in place to deal with all employee issues.

“Immediately upon learning of these allegations, we commenced a thorough internal review and, per our protocol, took all appropriate steps to ensure the safe working environment and safe forum for communication for everyone associated with the production. The review is ongoing and we are not able to comment further.”

There is some history of Darby inappropriately touching other men on RHOP. In an episode on season 1 of the show, Housewife Gizelle Bryant told Darby’s wife Ashley that Darby had touched another man’s bottom, which Ashley brushed off as a joke.

Gizelle then responded with, “Most men don’t like other men who are not gay squeezing their butts.”

Indeed.

We’ll keep you updated as this story unfolds.

[Image via Ashley Darby/Instagram]

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