‘Real Housewives Of Potomac’ Star Monique Samuels Charged With Second-Degree Assault After Alleged Fight With Co-Star Candiace Dillard

Real Housewives of Potomac star Monique Samuels is in legal trouble after an alleged fight with show costar, Candiace Dillard.

According to a court summons obtained by PEOPLE, Samuels has been charged with second-degree assault by the District Court of Montgomery County in Maryland stemming from a complaint filed by Dillard with the court’s commissioner on Thursday, November 7. Finding probable cause in Dillard’s complaint, the commissioner issued a summons for Samuels to appear in court on December 23.

The charge is the result of an incident between Samuels and Dillard on October 16 at a dinner party with their RHOP cast members, while filming for the franchise’s upcoming fifth season. Samuels allegedly grabbed Dillard by the hair and pulled her down.

In an exclusive statement provided to PEOPLE, Dillard’s personal attorney James L. Walker, Jr. said, “At this time, we do not want to say too much and just allow the criminal process to play out. We only ask everyone to pray for our client Candiace and her family. The physical assault, humiliation and emotional distress have all been very painful and difficult for Candiace, as it would be for anyone attacked so viciously.” He continued, “We also pray that Monique will get some help. The summons to court charge of Second Degree Assault is just one step below first-degree assault and must be taken very seriously. This behavior has no place in our society.”

Samuels’ attorney, A. Scott Bolden told PEOPLE that Dillard’s claims are “completely one-sided, inaccurate and unwarranted,” and added, “Ms. Dillard has a public reputation for aggressive, belligerent and threatening behavior that has played out repeatedly on the Housewives of Potomac for millions of viewers to see for themselves.”

Bolden stated, “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. My client has every right to file for a counter criminal summons, as well, and will consider doing so, while fully defending herself in this action that has been filed with the Court. Either way, I am confident that she will prevail on this matter. Going forward, we hope that Ms. Dillard seeks the help she needs to avoid creating these kinds of unsafe and unfortunate circumstances in and outside of the workplace.”

RHOP viewers remember Samuels and Dillard becoming close friends when Dillard joined the cast in its third season. The two fell out in season 4, then seemingly made up at the reunion show but apparently, there’s still some type of animosity still brewing. Hope these women can settle their differences soon.