“The case was dismissed due to insufficient evidence,” a spokesman for the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, Ramon Korionoff, told Us Weekly. “The complaining witness states there were no witnesses who actually saw the incident.”
Korionoff also said that while the victim provided several contact numbers for supervisors, whom he claimed he informed following the incident. None of them returned phone calls from the attorney’s office, reports the publication.
Michael released a statement via a press release from his company, Monument Realty: “Our good name and reputation have been upheld through the abandonment of this case by the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s office,” he said. It is unfortunate that high profile people are often sought out as targets, and in this situation, someone tried to take advantage of me.”
Darby’s attorney, Mike Rowan, also gave a statement in the press release. “The charges were dropped. They were baseless,” he said. “There were a number of alleged witnesses who said it did not happen. The peace order request by the alleged victim was also denied. There was simply nothing that happened, and nothing here.”
As for Michael's wife Ashley, she shared a link to the news of the dropped charges on Instagram Stories on Saturday, October 6, noting, “Please read.”
As previously reported, On Sept. 1 a cameraman from Truly Original productions accuses Darby of groping his butt and making a suggestive look towards him while they were filming, after which the man, named Orville Palmer, told him to stop and reported the alleged incident to his supervisor, according to court documents obtained by E! News.
Following his report, Michael was charged with felony assault, in addition to misdemeanor improper sexual contact, according to TMZ.
The network released a statement at the time of the suspension. “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 said on September 29. “We take all allegations seriously and then proceed accordingly with our producing partners. Bravo and Truly Original, the production company for The Real Housewives of Potomac, have suspended filming with Michael Darby.”
Meanwhile, Ashley addressed the allegations via her Instagram stories by sharing a photo of her husband Michael, with the caption; "No charges filed. No arrests made. No Bravo suspension, wrote the former beauty queen in a now deleted post. "No worries. We'll keep you posted," she shared along with an emoji kiss.
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Photo Credit: Bravo
