Photo: Bravo TV
His sexuality has been questioned before.
By Sarah Gangraw — Written on Sep 30, 2018
Real Housewives of Potomac star Michael Darby was charged with sexual assault and improper sexual contact for allegedly groping his male cameraman.
The incident, which was first reported by TMZ, occurred while filming an episode of the Bravo reality series on Sept. 1.
The cameraman, Orville Palmer, claims Michael Darby, 59, grabbed and groped his butt. When he turned around to tell the star to stop, Darby gave him a "flirtatious look," Palmer alleges. He reported the occurrence to his supervisor.
According to court records, Darby was charged with felony assault and misdemeanor improper sexual contact.
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Is it unclear where Darby's wife, Ashley Darby, 29, was while the incident happened.
This isn't the first time Darby, a real estate developer and co-owner of Oz restaurant in Clarendon, has been accused of touching a man's butt. In season 1 of the show, he raised eyebrows when Gizelle Bryant caught him grabbing another man's behind.
“I need to ask you ladies, I’m on the dance floor and your husband is squeezing Andrew’s butt,” Bryant said to Ashley, who didn't seem concern about her husband's behavior.
“Y'all, it’s a joke,” Ashley replied.
“Most men don’t like other men who are not gay squeezing their butts,” Bryant said.
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“Maybe Robyn [Dixon] and Gizelle should be worried about the men in their lives or lack thereof, and leave Michael and me alone,” Ashley clapped back.
“So you’re not disturbed that Michael was groping another man’s butt?” Dixon asked Ashley after a heated argument about race.
“My man has sex with me, he loves me and he gives it to me good,” Ashley said. “So quite frankly, whatever he does in joking manners is not a reflection of my man’s sexuality. You’re reading into it so far.”
The two came pretty close to separating in July 2017. Their age difference, as well as communication issues, led Ashley to move out of their Arlington apartment.
They have since reconciled and are back together, but will their relationship end following Darby's charges? The couple has not been able to be reached for comment.
Darby is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 16. If convicted, he could face up to 11 years behind bars.
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Sarah Gangraw has a degree in journalism and writes about all things news, entertainment and crime. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter.