BY TAMARA TATTLES STAFF
It’s been a rough week of reporting a variety of sexual assault charges and convictions this week and the reports just keep coming.
Today, TMZ is reporting that Michael Darby, Ashley Darby’s husband on Real Housewives of Potomac has been criminally charged with sexual assault for an event that occurred during filming on September 1st.
According to the site, Michael is alleged to have “grabbed and groped” the buttocks of a cameraman man, identified in court documents. The cameraman asserts that after the groping occurred that Michael gave him “a flirtatious look.” The cameraman then told Michael to stop and reported him to his supervisor.
Michael has been charged with felony assault as well as misdemeanor improper sexual contact. The maximum punishment is 11 years in prison.
The punishment for this sexual assault stands in direct contrast to the charges and punishment that Thomas Ravenel is currently facing.
I believe that all charges of sexual assault should be investigated and adjudicated when reported. However, I also believe the time has come for uniformity across the country in how sexual assaults are classified and sentenced.
This week is just emotionally exhausting.
The post below was made on IG by Ashley on September 1st the day the incident was alleged to occur.
UPDATE: Things are a bit mischaracterized by some media outlets concerning Michael not filming RHOP. Michael is not a cast member and has no contract with Bravo so he is not suspended from anything as he doesn’t work for Bravo. The have decided to “[take] all appropriate steps to ensure the safe working environment for everyone associated with the production.” That means he will not be allow on set to film or be around any filming while he has a criminal charge against him. Potato, Patahto.
A great week for victims!!! So happy victims are now being heard!
Wow! I agree with you about uniformity in across the country in how sexual assault crimes are charged and handled. How the hell did he think he was going to get away with something like that?
100% agree, that’s been one of the main issues is their has been no one firm stand , due process, or consequence. And sadly he probably was just as cocky as the other predators who did.
Didn’t he do the same thing on the first season? I think one of the ladies commented on it at the time, he grabbed a man’s backside at a party .
Yes, I remember that too.
In the words of Karen Huger – “F*** you, weirdo”.
I’m glad this was taken seriously and I’m in complete agreement with you on the uniformity of charges issue TT.
He is so creepy!
KARMA!! she’s always in everyone’s business, next season they’ll be taking about her and Michael’s marriage.
*talking
So maybe the “rumors” about him that were made on the show might be true
The disparity in filing charges from state to state is ridiculous. I thought this was the UNITED States of America. It’s one thing that has been hard for me to understand ever since I came here in 1964 – it’s like a lot of different countries, in terms of laws and regulations. Why is there no uniformity? TRav is charged with misdemeanor Assault and Battery for actions that are far more egregious than Michael’s butt-grabbing? With this report, I guess I’ll give a little more credence to what Karen said about Michael’s supposed gay tendencies and the nude pics. Jeez, even an animal knows not to poop where it sleeps – if this is true, he’s probably been living a double life for a long time – you’d think he would have been more careful and less open in a situation involving a cameraman,m especially one he apparently doesn’t know isn’t gay. Of course, he’ll say he was just being funny and there was no homosexual intent behind his actions, but being charged with felony assault as well as misdemeanor improper sexual contact is no laughing matter. Well, except for some of the ladies on RHOP, who’ll be peeing their panties with glee.
Uninvited assault regardless of sexual orientation. The cameraman may be gay, who knows or cares, he was violated. Michael always gives me the heeby jeebies! Perfect example of how SC needs to look at their sexual crime laws, they sound pretty weak in comparison to other states.
Well said!
I think it’s ridiculous. A smack on the ass is assault?
“Grabbed and groped” is what I read.
Yeah pretty much. Don’t go around touching people without their consent. Why’s that so hard to understand?
He groped and made gestures towards the man whilst he was doing his job…
I am with you GLH. Without consent are the operative words. Who cares how much time he gets. If he is going to be a sexual predator, know the state law on sexual misconduct. Because he has a need to be a sexual aggressor, his name and business are now in jeopardy. Who knows how many more victims are going to come out the portal on his ass.
At first glance, I read this as “portal of his ass.”
Absolutely. Eleven years seems like a lot though. Do rapists get the same there for felony sexual abuse? I think I’d rather see him picking up garbage on the highway. I guess I have to wait for more details till I decide how I really feel though. I haven’t watched Potomac in a long time so I don’t really have any previous impression or opinion of him.
Bill Cosby just received three years. I’m still in shock over that number. Plus he’ll get time off for, “good behavior”.
Nothing makes any sense to me this week.
Fizz, that’s the maximum penalty that can be applied. It’s doubtful, even if convicted, he will see that much time.
Ugh. Sometimes I hate not being able to edit here. I meant it’s doubtful IF convicted, not “even if.”
Unwanted and nonconsensual touching of a person’s body, especially private parts is absolutley assault. And grabbing someone’s ass is definitely sexual assault.
Agree. An unwanted pat on the ass is annoying. Tell him to cut it out, not send him to jail. This age of “me too” is going blankin bonkers. Traumatic assault and battery is different.
I was “groped” by a neighbor who was a good friend of my husband. We never spoke to him again (yes– I told my husband, but not his wife). Asshole, but why ruin her marriage. Traumatizing for a couple weeks and then I just despised him. Made me stronger; not a victim. No way did it impact my life.
Its not bonkers, its quite simple – don’t touch people in a sexual manner without their consent.
You literally just said a man groping you was “traumatizing for a few weeks”, that sounds like an impact to me.
However you view your experience, it doesn’t dictate how this man should feel. I’m glad he reported Michael, he’s a handsy little weirdo and can’t go around grabbing whomever he wants.
Yes, hitting someone on the backside (face, arm, leg…pick a body part) is considered assault.
Well said Kipper, it shouldn’t matter if the cameraman was gay or not, the touching was inappropriate and uninvited.
Michael is a big dummy. He should have researched the state law for the crime he was committing, before grabbing a handful ass. No mean no all over the world. He is a creep. A sexual deviant and harasser. If he gets 20 years. Good. Behind bars he can grab all the ass he want, drop his soap in the shower and bend over to pick it up. No one will complain on him. He has the look of a predator. Just bonafide creepy.
I wish it was united around the world Unfortunately, I learned some countries even today have laws against saying NO! Very sickening if you ask me. And their was an article recently that stated a huge percent of UK citizens during a poll, thought there were times when you shouldn’t stop certain advances. How sad!
What poll was this? I’d say check sources as the usual suspect newspapers are well known for fudging results…
I agree and I meant to say percent of those who took the poll, not population, bc who knows the real numbers. My real point was All over the world, including the US, We have the same issue that their are still a lot of people who think consent is a privilege not a human right. And some worst than others.And even advanced nations have citizens who think along those lines.
Okay I don’t quite remember, but did this incident actually play out last season? Is anyone remembering where Ashley confronted him on camera about squeezing some guy’s butt? That wasn’t the cameraman on set was it?
No this happened on September 1, 2018 as it says in the article by TT. He has always bothered me too!
He was caught on tape doing the same thing in Season 1. Just a creep. Skeleton # 1 is out of the closet. Which one is coming next?
Not a fan of the guy, but in fairness a charge is not guilt.
Fair point indeed Jr.
That being said, he has been filmed doing this same thing a few times to other men who apparently brushed it off. This time it appears he’s been put in his place.
That’s why he has only been charged so far and isn’t in jail on a conviction.
He did the same thing in season one. So many rumours about this guy. Ashley is so invested in other people’s business she really needs to be concerned about the man she’s married to.
I say plain and simple this country needs to decide a proper respectful procedure that will be more of an actual real due process for assault, rape, and violence related charges. The kind that make us as citizens feel each party will be respected and dealt with appropriately. This week a woman claimed her daughter’s boyfriend threatened her and the police only listened to neighbors who heard arguing. Neighbors who didn’t know them or see anything. Rumbling’s are coming out now that actually the Mom,while drunk, and her BF were the one’s who trespassed. And the BF physically assaulted the daughter. Meanwhile the police, in two seconds pressed their own charges, put the innocent boyfriend in jail, and told the daughter before she could tell them what happened to shut her mouth or be arrested. Justice???
Ouch!
As messy as she is, I like Ashley so I was hoping for her sakes the rumours about Michael weren’t true. I’d be rethinking that baby proposition right about now, if I were her. Assuming that she wasn’t aware of his proclivities, she might get a decent settlement based on fraud alone.
Sorry this happened to the cameraman. Michael must be one cocky (pun intended) mother tucker if he thought he could get away with unwanted touching in our current climate. He deserves to reap what he’s sown.
Well said…
Plus aren’t a cameraman’s hands usually unavailable to ward off such an advance? Ewww. Extra ewww.
Besides being despicable, he is an idiot. He never gave a thought to being caught on camera? Of all places to pull that crap, where there are cameras filming. That’s what happens to brains on entitlement. They think whatever they want, they deserve and they don’t even THINK about getting caught. Or that they will be held accountable.
Totally believable. He admitted to grabbing Katie’s boyfriend’s bottom on the dance floor. I don’t remember the season. What gives him the right to grab other men’s butts? It’s obnoxious, rude and invasive. I don’t care for him or his wife.
Well, no surprises here. However, production team member accusing reality show participant about ass-grabbing instead exploiting it on tv is a new one. Definitely a better one tho.
Apparently, this is not the first sexual misconduct incident between the two. NBC Washington DC reported he kicked Mr. Palmer in the but at the L2 Lounge in August, while he was filming the show. September he to the less subtle approach of grabbing his ass. On the 4th, Mr. Palmer reported it to the police. Obviously more to this story to come. His court date is on October 16.
I always had a feeling, he liked strawberries on his hot dog.
LOL! Is this a way of saying you thought he was gay? Not offended or anything, just genuinely curious
If does mean that, as a gay man can I just say that strawberries on a hot dog sounds absolutely revolting 😂😂 mustard and crispy onions all the way!
I love onions I eat onions every day! Are crispy onions the kind that come in a can, like French’s Onions?
Yeah just fried onions 🙂
I don’t watch this show but “strawberries on a hot dog” sound like foreplay to me. Can’t believe this guy has a felony arrest for grabbing another guy’s butt when South Carolina can’t even protect their women from rape with anything but a “misdemeanor and a $200,000 fine”!!!!! What’s goin’ on here?
Red state/blue state.
I’ve been trying hard to ignore your tea on this couple, TT, but I’m slowly coming out of my delusion. I didn’t forget the blind you had recently that was allegedly about these two. I’m so disappointed in Ashley first and foremost. I hope she doesn’t sleep well at night. No one has any shame anymore.
I like these two actually. I don’t remember doing a blind about them, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t. I can’t remember crap.
HAHA About how they allegedly faked their entire story line this past season and of course magically everything came together for a happy ending at the reunion!
Oh yeah. That was them. I have drank away most of my brain cells so everything that goes in has to push something else out. 🙂