A decision has been made in theongoing legal battlebetweenMonique Samuelsand Candiace Dillard Bassett, PEOPLE can exclusively report.
On Friday, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office informed lawyers for theReal Housewives of Potomaccostars that they would not be pursuing their ongoing cross complaints.
Back in November, both Samuels, 36, and Dillard Bassett, 33, hadaccused the other of second-degree assault, each filing complaints directly with the District Court of Montgomery County in Maryland.
All stemmed back from an incident between Samuels and Dillard Bassett on Oct. 16, in which the two got into a physical altercation during a dinner party that was filmed for the Bravo show’s upcoming fifth season.
In both cases, Samuels and Dillard Bassett faced potential jail time if a second-degree assault conviction had been made.
Though a criminal case won’t be pursued, the State’s Attorney’s Office decision does not prevent either woman from filing a civil lawsuit against the other.
Gary Gershoff/Getty Images; Gary Gershoff/Getty Images
Asked for comment, Samuels' attorney, A. Scott Bolden, gave PEOPLE an exclusive statement:
“Consistent with her prior bad acts, offensive words and conduct, and her reputation for physical threats and verbal outbursts on the show, through third party interviews and the review of other evidence, the government concluded not to move forward against my client, Mrs. Samuels,” continued Bolden. “And while the government decided not to pursue my client’s defensive claim against Candiace, we are very satisfied that justice was done.”
Dillard Bassett’s personal attorney James L. Walker, Jr., also provided PEOPLE with an exclusive statement:
“I still feel strongly that my client was the victim, but I do hope all parties can move on now,” Walker added. “I am also hopeful that Ms. Samuels and her team will cease and desist with the continual, unprofessional character assassination of Ms. Dillard Bassett, her husband, and her family.”
RHOPviewers will recall, Samuels and Dillard Bassett became close friends when Dillard Bassett joined the show back in its third season.
Their friendship fell apart during season 4, though it appeared the two made up during the final part of theRHOPreunion, which aired in September.
Season 5 ofThe Real Housewives of Potomacis expected to premiere in 2020.
source: people.com
