Entertainment

Here’s What's Going On With The Abuse Allegations Against Ryan Phillippe

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According to a Monday report published by The Blast, Ryan Phillippe has been accused of domestic violence by an ex-girlfriend named Elsie Hewitt. The allegations against the Shooter star were made Monday after Hewitt filed a lawsuit alleging the 43-year-old kicked her, punched her, and threw her down the stairs, as reported by The Blast.

On Tuesday, Phillippe denied the allegations by releasing a statement via his rep to People. It reads:

As a staunch advocate for the health, well-being and equality of women, Ryan is completely devastated that these false allegations have been made and circulated. Domestic violence is an incredibly serious issue and fabricated and proven false claims should not be used to unjustly slander the falsely accused. The claims are false.

UPDATE: Phillippe also posted a statement denying the allegations to his Twitter account.

EARLIER: Hewitt's lawyer, Keith Fink, also released a statement to People and disputed any claims that Hewitt filed the suit for money (she is seeking $1 million) or recognition, but only to take a stand against domestic violence. "She’s not going to take a dime, I am not making a dime, [if she wins the case] the money is going to a domestic violence charity," Fink said. As for whether or not Hewitt was making up the allegations, he replied, "Did she make up the bruises on her body?"

A Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson told People that a report of the alleged physical attack was filed and that officers granted Hewitt an emergency protective order, which expired on July 12, after she was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Her report was forwarded to the Los Angeles City Attorney. It has yet to be determined if her case will move forward with criminal charges, according to People.

Per People, which obtained court documents, Hewitt's civil suit claims the actor became violent after they had a fight on July 3, 2017, which allegedly took place after party that he left after he felt he was "being ignored by [Hewitt]". According to the documents, Hewitt claims that she went to Phillippe's house to pack up her things early on July 4, which is when the alleged altercation occurred. People also obtained photos supplied by Hewitt that show bruises and cuts allegedly from her fight with Phillippe.

According to People's documents, Hewitt, who is a model, claims she also saw Phillippe "repeatedly abusing a panoply of legal and illegal drugs, including without limitation: cocaine, ecstasy, psychedelic mushrooms, and steroids…" The court documents also allege, "Phillippe increasingly combined these drugs with excessive alcohol consumption and often exhibited symptoms attendant of poly drug and alcohol abuse, including mood swings and bouts of anger."

Us Weekly also obtained court documents, in which Hewitt claims Phillippe "grabbed [her] upper arm so tightly that his grip left heavy bruises on her arm hours later. He then braced his body and violently threw her down his staircase as hard as he could." Hewitt also alleges that the former Secrets & Lies actor tried contacting her after their alleged altercation, which scared her into thinking that he would "cause her additional injury."

TMZ reported Tuesday that Phillippe has hired a "high-powered civil litigator" and that he plans to file a countersuit for defamation and a malicious prosecution case against Hewitt if or when her lawsuit is thrown out. Reportedly, the actor will donate any money he wins to domestic violence organizations. According to TMZ, Phillippe alleges Hewitt was the one who attacked him after he broke up with her.

On Monday, Hewitt wrote a message to fans on Instagram. "I'm a very private person but there are some tribulations I've been facing recently so I wanted to say thank u guys for your love, thank you to those who have been there for me, and thank you for those in my life who haven't, for teaching me a good lesson," part of her caption reads. "I think it's important to feel all your feelings, both happy and sad in order to overcome and to grow stronger. everyone is on their own path and has their own pain. always get back up, keep trying and stand up for yourself and what you believe in."

Hewitt's attorney told People that a criminal case is possible, since the City Attorney is still investigating. Her lawyer also told the outlet that both his client and Philippe had been interviewed by the City Attorney as part of the investigation.