“The Real Housewives Of New York City” star Luann de Lesseps has checked into an alcohol treatment centre in Los Angeles, following her headline-making arrest over the weekend.
“After the events of last Saturday night in Palm Beach, I am truly embarrassed,” the reality star tells People. “I have decided to seek professional guidance and will be voluntarily checking into an alcohol treatment center. I intend to turn this unfortunate incident into a positive life-changing event. Once again, I sincerely apologize for my actions. I have the greatest respect for police officers and the job they do. My actions alleged in the police report do not reflect my core values and my law abiding character.”
She adds, “I am so grateful for the love and support that I am receiving from my family, friends and loyal supporters.”
The 52-year-old “Countess” was arrested in the early morning hours of Dec. 24 after allegedly getting into a drunken altercation with a police officer in Palm Beach, Florida. According to the police report, de Lesseps had been caught trespassing in a hotel room with an unidentified man. The duo entered the wrong hotel room and refused to leave, shoving and slamming the door in a police officer’s face when he responded to a call over the incident. She later told the responding officer, “I’m going to kill you all,” according to the police report.
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Following her divorce from Count Alexandre de Lesseps (to whom she was married from 1993 to 2009), de Lesseps married Tom D’Augostino in Palm Beach last New Year’s Eve. The couple has since divorced. Following her arrest, Lesseps released an apology via People, attributing her behaviour to “long-buried emotions.”
“This was my first time in Palm Beach since my wedding, and being here brought up long-buried emotions. I want to offer my sincere apologies to anyone I might have offended with my behavior. I am committed to a transformative and hopeful 2018,” she said.
A source told People, “Memories from that day came flooding back, she was emotional and her behaviour was out of character.”
The reality star was released without bond, allowed to return to her home in New York state and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 25.