Bill O’Reilly is denying allegations that he physically abused his ex-wife.
The Fox News host issued a statement to TheWrap through his personal attorney Fred Newman on Monday saying, “All allegations against me in these circumstances are 100% false. I am going to respect the court-mandated confidentiality put in place to protect my children and will not comment any further.”
Media website Gawker reported that O’Reilly had been accused of physical assault during a three-year custody battle with his ex-wife, Maureen McPhilmy.
Though most of the documents are sealed, Gawker reported that “a source familiar with the facts of the case” revealed that “a court-appointed forensic examiner testified at a closed hearing that O’Reilly’s daughter claimed to have witnessed her father dragging McPhilmy down a staircase by her neck, apparently unaware that the daughter was watching.”
The incident is believed to have occurred at the couple’s Manhasset, New York, home at some point prior to their separation in 2010.
O’Reilly and McPhilmy went through a bitter custody battle following their 2011 divorce. McPhilmy ended up winning custody of their two minor children three weeks ago.
This isn’t the first time “The O’Reilly Factor” host has been dogged by controversy. In 2004, he was sued for sexual harassment by former producer, Andrea Mackris. The case was eventually settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.