Kim Richards claimed during last Tuesday’s finale reunion episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills that she’s never had issues with sobriety, but the reality star was arrested early Thursday morning for allegedly attacking a police officer soon after a bartender refused her service for being too intoxicated. The Beverly Hills Police Department stated that Richards was “belligerent with slurred speech,” and charged her with trespassing, resisting arrest, battery on a police officer and public intoxication.
Richards has struggled with substance abuse in the past, but during a reunion episode of her Bravo reality show earlier this week, the 50-year-old former child actor repeated claims she made in a January episode that she “doesn’t drink, smoke, do drugs, or have anything to hide.”
“Let’s get this straight real quick – I am not struggling with my sobriety, nor have I struggled with my sobriety,” stated Richards. “I am sober. I have been sober for three years. I don’t appreciate all the conversations that have been behind my back. And I do not have to defend myself any longer.”
Two days later, Richards went to the Polo Lounge of The Beverly Hills Hotel, and after drinking several vodka tonics, was refused service by the establishment’s bartender. She reportedly became very angry and reportedly shouted “Don’t you know who I am?” before heading to a bathroom and refusing to come out. The police were then called, and Richards began cursing at the officers and “passively resisted arrest,” according to Beverly Hills Police Department spokesman Lt. Lincoln Hoshino.
Hoshino explained to Daily Mail UK that the reality star was “belligerent with slurred speech and wreaking of a strong odor of alcohol” as the officers dragged her out of the restrooms and took her to a nearby jail, where she kicked a police officer. Richards was later released on a $20,000 bail, after she was issued a citation for trespass, resisting arrest, battery on a police officer and being drunk in public. She is due to appear at the Los Angeles Superior Court on May 10.
Richards’ castmates on Real Housewives immediately took to Twitter on Thursday to give their support, with Lisa Rinner writing that she wishes Richards and her family the best, and Eileen Davidson giving her co-star her “thoughts and prayers.”
