Terrence Howard’s attorney says the actor agreed to his 2012 divorce settlement with Michelle Ghent only because he was afraid his ex-wife would leak damning information about his sex life.
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Yvonne Howard, Terrance’s sister-in-law, testified Michelle said she “had him [Terrence] by the balls”, and then claimed to have a tape where Terrence is having sex with a woman and another woman is present. She also made claims the actor had affairs and said she had tipped off the Internal Revenue Service to Howard claiming improper tax deductions.
Though she alleged Terrence grabbed her by the neck, pushed her against the bathroom wall and began strangling her, he has has insisted it was mutual combat, claiming she pepper spayed him during the fight.
The legal action stems from Howard’s efforts to get Ghent’s divorce settlement thrown out of court on the grounds that he signed the settlement under duress.
In addition to a black eye, Michelle said she had contusions and swelling.
According to US Today, as reported by AP, the actor, who now plays the lead character Lucious Lyon in the TV series “Empire“, was cut off by the judge when he tried to explain himself.
Ghent’s lawyers say she denied during a deposition that she blackmailed her husband. And the ex-couple’s dispute has prompted 20th Century Fox, which produces “Empire”, to seek guidance on where to send Howard’s “Empire” earnings, Daily Mail noted. It also called for him to pay his wife a share of his earnings in spousal support.
During the hearing, Howard received a sharp rebuke from Lewis after the judge learned Howard had snapped a photo of the courtroom audience, including reporters covering the hearing.
Lewis told Howard he could hold a contempt hearing for the violation but did not set one.
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Howard acquired an Oscar nomination for his starring position in 2005’s “Hustle & Movement”.
