CoolSculptingNear Ravenel, SC

Thomas Ravenel was a beloved reality star and budding politician until he faced an accusation of sexual assault. He settled out of court.

The Gist:

Generational wealth in the American South opens gates to a whole new universe. In Bravo's Southern Charm, fans get a peek into the action and, for a time, Thomas Ravenel was a part of that.

He is an example of reality TV meeting politics. After all, he is the son of former Representative Arthur Ravenel Jr. Plus, he himself was Treasurer of South Carolina under Governor Mark Sanford. However, what has his life away from the show been like?

What happened to Thomas Ravenel?

While Southern Charm started in 2014, Thomas was booted in 2018. His nanny, Dawn Ledwell, accused him of sexual assault and filed a lawsuit against him in federal court.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by the Daily Mail, after Dawn was watching his children, Thomas came home and removed her clothes without consent. "When he returned home, he forcibly removed her clothes, forced her hand onto his penis and 'grabbed at her vagina,'" the Mail reported.

According to the Mail, "The affidavit claims he ordered her: 'Show me your p---y' and asked her: 'Do you like big d--ks?' as he shoved his penis in her face."

Thomas was arrested for second-degree assault and battery and was facing potentially three years in prison and a $2,500 fine. A bond was set for $20,000 and he was bailed out.

"I felt unprepared and exhausted, as the past five months have been emotionally and physically taxing," Dawn told People following Thomas's initial arrest. At the time, she also took issue with the low bond that was set on Thomas but admitted she had an order of protection in place for her safety, anyway.

As a result, Thomas left the show and dealt with the legal fallout of the accusation. Eventually, he settled the lawsuit, but never paid Dawn a dime. Instead, according to Heavy, he paid her legal fees and made a donation to a non-profit focused on aiding sexual assault survivors.

As part of the process, he did plead guilty to third-degree assault and battery. However, this was lesser than the initial second-degree charge he was arrested on, according to ABC4.

"I was offered the opportunity to appear at the hearing and give a victim’s impact statement. Although I was scared, I wanted to tell the judge and Thomas what I feel," she added. Dawn also accused Thomas of threatening to "take out" anyone who offered to aid her after the assault.

Are Thomas and Kathryn Dennis still together?

Absolutely not! The pair not only broke up long ago, but Thomas has vocally slammed Kathryn Dennis. “The worst person in the world I know is Kathryn Dennis and the total losers who make excuses and applaud her horrific behavior like Craig and Shep and Austen,” he posted in a since-deleted tweet. “Total losers.”

Naturally, fans asked what brought on this rage against his ex. “She was involved in a hit and run at an elementary school crossing. Any more questions???" he replied.

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CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Police, firefighters and community members gathered Monday morning for a walk on the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge in a show of support for the first responders and heroes of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.

The 10^th Annual 9-11 Silent Walk began in Charleston and came to an end at the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant.

No words were exchanged and only the sound of cars passing by could be heard as people from all over the Lowcountry and beyond participated in the silent walk across the Ravenel Bridge during the morning hours.

Tian Griffieth, who serves as executive director and captain of the North Charleston Fire Department, said this decade-old ceremony started with a text message that was sent 10 years ago.

“This has been something that we started out as five friends … a text message saying hey, let’s go something on 9-11. We came out, we walked that day the entire Ravenel Bridge and that day set off a chain of events that have allowed us to be here for the last decade,” he said.

Now, thousands have joined the walk with support from across the spectrum – from kids who were born after September 11, 2001, to those who were there in person when the attacks happened 22 years ago.

“We immediately saw the smoke, and there was a solid stream of people that were running out of the area. We got to the base just before the collapse and we started taking care of people,” recalled 9/11 first responder Johan Zamoscianyk.

“We had seen the first plane hit the towers. We went from Queens, and by the time we got into Manhattan the second plane had hit and the first tower came down,” said Retired NYPD Detective Michael Rooney.

The moment of silence and process of first responders across the Ravenel — a symbol to serve as a reminder for everyone to see.

“We put 343 firefighters on this bridge every year, police officers, members of the community, walking as a symbol of those people that were lost,” said Capt. Griffieth.

After reaching the end of the Ravenel Bridge, participants gathered on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown where organizers held additional events commemorating 9/11 and the first responders.

“It’s a surreal event. Seeing everybody walking across the bridge is reminiscent of people walking up the westside highway,” said Zamoscianyk.

Event organizers say since the inaugural walk in 2013, over 6,000 people have walked the Ravenel Bridge to honor the victims of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.

RAVENEL, S.C. (WCBD) – Traffic patterns, potholes, speeding, and more – our team is working to find solutions to problems that are driving you crazy on the roads.

Over the past few weeks, News 2 has heard from many of you about problems on the roadways – but one issue had stood out more than the others: the intersection of SC-165 and Highway 17.

Nearly a dozen people who reached out about the intersection in Ravenel called it extremely dangerous. We met with many of those viewers to learn more.

Jack Scarborough said large vehicles, like tractor-trailers, approach the intersection at a high rate of speed, often running the red light and causing accidents that are sometimes deadly.

“When you hear that fire engine, with the siren going, and you can tell that it’s stopping at that intersection, you’re like ‘oh geez, there’s another accident,’ and ‘God, I just hope no one is seriously injured or dead,’” said Scarborough.

Another Ravenel resident, Joan Van Scyoc, said this intersection has worried her family for over a decade.

She said it’s hard to see oncoming traffic when you’re turning north and that the speed limit should be reduced ahead of the signal.

“It’s death-defying, sometimes, to make this turn. Especially now that traffic is increasing quite a bit in the area, and they’re going at a high rate of speed,” said Scyoc.

Both Jack and Joan say having a left turn arrow – turning north onto 165 from 17 – would solve most of the problems.

We took their concerns to the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), and now we’re letting you know that a solution may soon become a reality.

Kelly Moore, Director of Public Engagement for SCDOT said a project is underway that will add a left turn arrow to the northbound 17 left turn at the intersection.

The project is expected to go out for bid this month, and once a contract is awarded, SCDOT will have more information regarding the timeline and cost.

Count on News 2 to keep you updated on the project.

If you have something that drives you crazy on the roads, we want to know about it. Simply email mfee@wcbd.com or fill out the online form by clicking here.

Thomas Ravenel threw daggers at his former “Southern Charm” co-star Leva Bonaparte.

“Just watched the latest update on Southern Charm and can’t believe the most boring person on there is still Leva,” the 61-year-old reality star wrote via Twitter Saturday.

It is unclear what prompted Ravenel to come for the “Southern Hospitality” star, 44, but his rants over the show didn’t end there.

Ravenel also made a remark in the comments about the show’s audience, writing that the “viewership went from 1.5 million to 250 k” after he made his exit.

The controversial former politician appears to still be an avid viewer of the South Carolina-based reality show despite leaving the series over five years ago.

Ravenel’s time on the Bravo show came to an end in 2018 after he pleaded guilty to assault and battery.

His nanny at the time, Dawn Ledwell, filed charges in 2015 after Ravenel forcefully tried to kiss her in his home.

The dad of three admitted to his wrongdoing in court at the time, saying, “Your honor, on the night of the incident, I did attempt to kiss her, and in so doing, I grabbed her arm and that was wrong and I am much appreciative of the opportunity to apologize to her in court today.”

For more Page Six reality TV updates…

He received a 30-day suspended sentence, a $500 fine and avoided jail time.

Ravenel also underwent a messy custody battle with his ex-girlfriend Kathryn Dennis.

Ravenel — who shares son St. Julien Rembert and daughter Kensington Calhoun with his former co-star — was granted permanent sole custody of their children in May.

In August 2022, Ravenel took to Twitter to slam Bravo after being seemingly displeased over how the network covered the custody battle.

“If I lost all custody of my kids, all the Bravo controlled media would be talking about what a horrible father I am,” the disgraced politician wrote, and quickly deleted, on Twitter at the time.

“Instead, as I have full custody, the narrative is that I’ve bought off the system and Family Court is corrupt.”

He concluded, “I think Bravo is corrupt.”

Ravenel also shares son Jonathan with ex-fiancée Heather Mascoe.

Olivia Flowers' previously unknown hookup with Thomas Ravenel has been put on blast.

During Thursday's Southern Charm season 9 reunion, Taylor Ann Green took it upon herself to bring the former fling to light. The revelation occurred as Taylor and Austen Kroll were once again in the hot seat for the secret kiss and subsequent cover-up that dominated conversation this season.

After getting read the riot act by Olivia, Taylor commented cryptically, "I'm just saying, Olivia, forgive as you would want to be forgiven."

A perplexed host Andy Cohen asked, "Forgive as you would want to be forgiven?"

After a confused pause, Olivia said, "Go ahead and say it. I already see what you're trying to do. You've been hanging this over my head, I want to see it. Say it."

After some pressing, Taylor, 29, said that she believed Olivia had also betrayed "a friend and a confidante" in former Southern Charm star Kathryn Dennis by hooking up with Kathryn's ex Thomas.

Southern Charm: After Taylor Sobs at Being 'Verbally Abused,' Olivia Dares Austen to 'Go Have Sex with Her'

Thursday night's episode wasn't technically the first time viewers had heard whispers about a hookup between Olivia, 31, and Thomas, 61.

During last year's reunion, Madison LeCroy alluded to funny business between the two — and Taylor had been the one to defend her then-friend at the time.

Olivia explained at this year's reunion that she had approached Taylor after the insinuation by Madison, 33, to thank her for the support — but also to confess the indiscretion.

Olivia explained at this week's reunion: "I was fresh out of college, 20 years old. Dumb, drunken night, one time had a hookup with T-Rav. And I wanted to take it to my grave — like, who wouldn't?"

Taylor's ex Shep Rose chuckled to himself, and Craig Conover grimaced.

Southern Charm's Olivia Flowers Says Taylor Ann Green Made Their Friendship 'Broken': 'I Hate You for That'

Of Taylor, Olivia continued, "She's the only person on Earth I told about that, and here you are now sitting there, trying to use it against me."

"On Earth?" asked Taylor.

Andy, 55, still didn't understand why Taylor was comparing her and Olivia's situations. To that, Olivia said, "I didn't know Kathryn then. I met Kathryn after it happened."

Andy asked, "Was she with Thomas at the time?"

"I have no idea, I do not believe so," said Olivia.

Andy followed up, "Then why is it so bad?"

Olivia just answered, "Because [Taylor's] just been sitting there champing at the bit to use it against me. Not only have you proven yourself to be a s--- friend, you're a s--- human too."

As the women's castmates processed this twist, Andy dismissed them for a break before filming for part 2, airing next Thursday.

The revelation aired nearly a year after Thomas showed his support for Flowers after the death of her brother Conner last February.

After the 32-year-old's death became public, Ravenel paid tribute on Instagram, writing, "RIP Conner Flowers 2/9/1990-1/30/2023 Words can't rightfully describe how rare and remarkable you were. You will be terribly missed by those to whom you were so kind and selfless. My sincerest sympathies to your broken-hearted family."

Olivia Flowers Calls Filming Southern Charm an 'Escape' After Her Brother's Unexpected Death at 32 (Exclusive)

Ravenel was a cast member on Southern Charm for five seasons, starting with its debut in 2014, and he appeared as a guest in season 7.

The former South Carolina state treasurer came into the show with quite a reputation, having served time in federal prison on drug charges that ended his time in office. He continued to provide gossip fodder by impregnating Kathryn during season 1. The volatile on-and-off couple welcomed daughter Kensington "Kensie" Calhoun in March 2014 and son St. Julien Rembert in November 2015.

In April 2018, around the time season 5 began airing, Ravenel was accused of sexual assault, an allegation that quietly went away after a reported settlement. A month later, a second accuser — the children's nanny — came forward and also claimed Ravenel had sexually assaulted her. He was arrested and charged. In September, he entered a guilty plea to third-degree assault and battery in connection to the second allegation, ultimately paying a $500 fine but serving no jail time.

In October 2020, it was confirmed that Ravenel would not return to Southern Charm.

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Part 2 of the Southern Charm season 9 reunion airs Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, with an uncensored version dropping the next day on Peacock.