Michael was charged with felony assault as well as misdemeanor improper sexual contact, the maximum punishment for which was 11 years in prison. However, on Oct. 4, a Montgomery County court dismissed the chargesdue to insufficient evidence.
RHOP’s footage did not capture any physical contact between Palmer and Michael but seemed to record a cameraman’s response to Michael.
“Hey bud?” Michael said in the clip, smiling and giggling as he passed the crew member. “You alright?”
“Please don’t do that,” the man said directly.
“Okay,” Michael responded.
“Please don’t do that,” the man reiterated.
“Okay,” Michael said, before walking over to greet Ashley.
More previously unseen footage later showed a man confronting Michael, in what appeared to be an attempt to discuss what happened.
“Hey Mike,” the man said as Michael walked away. “Hold on. Mike, Mike, hold on. Hold on!”
“I didn’t touch your butt. I didn’t touch your butt!” Michael shouted back, smiling. “Come on, I’ll get a beer.”
In an exclusive comment to PEOPLE on Sunday, Michael responded to the episode:
A representative for Truly Original,RHOP’s production company, responded to PEOPLE about Michael’s claims on Monday:
In addition to seeking criminal charges, Palmer had also filed a restraining order against Michael, which was denied on Sept. 28.
Days later, Michael appeared on FOX 5 D.C. where he admitted he did “bump into the cameraman” at Samuels' house as he walked out of their basement and into their backyard.
In the interview, Michael alleged that the cameraman “saw a way to make money” and claimed that “he quit the day after he filed charges.”
PEOPLE reached out to Palmer for comment at the time but never heard back. His social media accounts have since been deleted.
Ramon Korionoff, Public Affairs Director for the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, told PEOPLE in October that none of Palmer’s supervisors had ever followed up with investigators. Korionoff also said the cameraman himself never responded either.
“The case was dismissed due to insufficient evidence,” he told PEOPLE. “The complaining witness states there were no witnesses who actually saw the incident, however, he did inform his supervisors immediately after. He provided several contact numbers for his supervisors, however, no one ever called us back. We called the complaining witness to update him, however, he hasn’t returned our call.”
Representatives for Truly Original denied that though. “Truly Original responded to every request from the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office and complied fully,” they said in a statement. to PEOPLE in October. “To clarify and correct Mr. Korionoff’s statement, two supervisors, after being subpoenaed, testified at the hearing relating to [the cameraman’s] request for a peace order (the court ultimately denied [his] request for a peace order).”
The Real Housewives of Potomac cast.Tommy Garcia/Bravo
“Anyone with a brain knows that just because the charges are dropped it doesn’t mean you didn’t do it,” said Dixon. “Lucky Michael.”
“We know what it is,” Bryant added. “That privilege worked out for you this time, honey. … You’re not denying any of this. … Something happened. I just don’t know what.”
Dillard hinted at darker explanations, without, however, offering any evidence for her suspicion. “Money talks,” she said. “Does this exonerate Michael? Absolutely not. And I will still look at him with a side-eye. … Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”
“He admitted there was contact. That didn’t help me believe in his innocence. I will never know,” Huger said. “[There’s going to be] a question mark left over your character forever… Zebras don’t change their stripes.”
Only Samuels appeared to be on Ashley’s side.
“I’m going to support Ashley because I’m putting myself in her shoes,” Samuels said. “I had cameras all over my house but there were no cameras in that position. I’m staying neutral because I don’t know what happened. None of us do.”
As for Ashley, she assured viewers she was staying strong. “This is not going to destroy my husband, my marriage — we know who we are,” she said. “It’s just kind of like a Band-Aid, we just have to rip it off and keep it moving.”
TheReal Housewives of Potomacairs Sundays (8 p.m. ET) on Bravo.
source: people.com
