Real Housewives of Potomac star Monique Samuels is taking legal action against her co-star Candiace Dillard, a move that came nearly a week after Dillard filed assault charges against Samuels.
According to E! News, Dillard is now facing second-degree assault charges from the District Court of Montgomery County in Maryland. The reality star was hit with a summons and is expected to appear in court on Feb. 6, 2020.
The alleged incident happened at a dinner on Oc. 16 at which Samuels grabbed Dillard by the hair and pulled her down.
Apparently, Bravo cameras were rolling as they’re filming the fifth season of the hit franchise series. Other Real Housewives of Potomac co-stars were present.
Last week, Samuels was charged with second-degree assault after allegedly getting into a fight with Dillard.
Dillard then filed a complaint with the District Court of Montgomery County in Maryland. Court documents show that Samuels has been summoned to court on Dec.23.
Once initial charges were filed, a lawyer for Samuels, A. Scott Bolden, said in a statement: “To be sure, my client did nothing but defend herself in the face of more very aggressive behavior by Ms. Dillard. If this event occurred during taping of the show, I am confident that the video will bear all of this out.”
Dillard’s attorney James L. Walker Jr. responded to the latest charges in a statement to E! News, saying: “I did not know innocent people filed counter claims as a strategic move after we all know they have been charged and caught on video threatening and attacking our client. We gladly welcome seeing Mrs. Samuels in Court. We pray she is presently getting some type of treatment for anger management.”
He continued, “The video is very clear and my client and I have confirmed with the network that Mrs. Samuels was clearly the aggressor! We will also explore asking the court for sanctions for Mrs. Samuels frivolous filing. You assaulted Mrs. Candiace Dillard-Bassett, now face the music.”
ESSENCE reached out to Bravo, but didn’t immediately hear back.