The sexual assault case against former Southern Charm star Thomas Ravenel may have wrapped up last week, but the story is far from over…
As The Ashley previously told you, Thomas walked out of the courtroom last week virtually unscathed, facing just a $500 fine after he took a plea deal and pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and battery charges stemming from accusations made by his children’s former nanny, Dawn.
After Thomas’ punishment was announced, many ‘Southern Charm’ fans took to social media to voice their opinion that Thomas got off easy, but new documents obtained by FitsNews reveal that there was a reason for that.
The site reports that Nanny Dawn agreed with the plea in exchange for Thomas making a hefty donation to a worthy cause in her name.
According to the site, Thomas made a donation in Nanny Dawn’s name to People Against Rape, a nonprofit based in Charleston, South Carolina, that works as a “sexual assault advocacy program offering free support and services for survivors of sexual assault in Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley Counties of South Carolina.” According to Dawn, the donation will help fund “important work for victims and survivors of sexual assault.”
In May 2018, Dawn came forward with her accusations, citing a January 2015 incident in which Thomas allegedly sexually assaulted her shortly after she put he and Kathryn Dennis’ daughter Kensie to bed. At the time, Dawn expressed trepidation about reporting the attack out of fear that Thomas would ultimately avoid being charged, as he had done in the past.
Dawn has since revealed that it was Kathryn who helped convince her to come forward with her claims against Thomas, which resulted in the Thomas’ September 2018 arrest.
“In the spring of 2018, when stories began emerging in the press about Thomas Ravenel and other women, and after Kathryn Dennis and friends reached out to me, encouraging me to come forward, I ultimately recognized the incident as sexual assault,” she said.”
Now, however, Dawn claims to have forgiven Thomas for his wrongdoings. In an affidavit signed July 19, she stated that “while [Thomas’] memory differs in critical ways from my own regarding the incident, I accept Thomas’ apology for his unwarranted physical contact … and I believe him when he says he never intended to sexually assault me.”
Dawn went on to say that when “not drinking” or “not upset over his latest row” with Kathryn, Thomas “was a loving father.” Despite this, she said the 2015 incident shouldn’t be ignored.
“While I have accepted Thomas Ravenel’s settlement and public apology, I do not believe the incident should be ignored within the legal system,” she continued. “I will recommend to the ninth circuit solicitor’s office that they resolve this matter with a plea from Thomas Ravenel to assault and battery in the third degree.”
In addition to commending the solicitor’s office and the Charleston Police Department for their “thorough investigation and professionalism,” Dawn assured that she did not pursue the case “for notoriety or to take advantage of Thomas Ravenel’s wealth and fame.”
As for Thomas, he, too, signed an affidavit on July 19, apologizing for his actions, though still claiming the assault was “never intentional.”
“ … while I reiterate that I have never intentionally sexually assaulted anyone, I … acknowledge that by making an unwelcome advance to Dawn in my home, while she was babysitting my daughter, I behaved improperly and caused her immediate and lasting emotional distress,” Thomas wrote. “I unqualifiedly apologize for having done so. She has asked that rather than pay any money to her in settlement of her claims, I make a donation in her name to the charity of her choice and I have gladly done so.”
RELATED STORY: Former ‘Southern Charm’ Star Thomas Ravenel Pleads Guilty to Assault Charges & Avoids Jail Time By Paying a $500 Fine
(Photos: Bravo; Instagram)
18 Responses
He got off Scott Free, how shameful! I’m sure he’s done this before and will continue to do so again. He’s from “ the good ole boys” mentality! Rich kid can do no wrong, money always get him off the hook!
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$500 is a drop in the bucket it should have been at least $50,000 to mean anything!
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Pathetic!!!
Is that even legal to do? If she wins a settlement, the money should be hers to decide what to do with.
Perhaps you need to reread the article. She is the one that said she wanted the donation made in HER NAME. Smh!
What a scum bag! And he asaulted this woman while his daughter was in the house. What if this had happened to his daughter and the guy said he didn’t intend to do it. And for the woman to dismiss it as not intentional. What a terrible web they weave. #?#?
What a scum bag! And I guess it doesn’t matter that he he sexually assaulted this woman while his daughter was in the house. How would he feel had this happen to his daughter and the creep said he didn’t intend to do it. And for the woman to dismiss it as not intentional! What a terrible web they weave. #? #?
If nothing else, one good thing came out of this mess, Ashley Jacobs is long gone.
I hope Kathryn moves on and raises hey two adorable children in peace with no more drama. Drama from Thomas or anyone else hurts a childs soul they dont deserve that.
Putting myself in Dawn’s shoes and perhaps her thinking at that time.
Maybe, just maybe, she thought that something good could possibly come from the trauma. A sizeable donation went to a non-profit organization that helps others who have experienced sexual assault.
As a sufferer of PTSD myself currently in intense therapy… It will help Dawn to be able to recall a positive from the experience. By coming forward and exposing the event she faces him head on taking her power back…
Yes he deserved Jail Time… Obviously Jail Time has not taught him anything. Ummmm conviction and Jail Time for Cocaine. This is a man that is more bully trying to make others look bad for his actions… And… He is most concerned about his money. Men like him hate to be exposed and have to publicly admit to their actions. Which will show in his Criminal History. Showing a pattern against him in a Court of Law.
Yes… In a way Dawn was financially compensated. But she chose for that money to go to helping others… Helping other victims heal.
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White southern privledged asshole.
Thomas now has to move forward and be careful of his actions especially now in this world of the M2 movements where everone is being judged in one way or another.
Good ole boys at their finest!!! This is a slap in the face of women & they wonder why more don’t come forward when facing this crime. The judicial system is supposed to be for all, not special treatment for the rich. This man is disgusting & yet he gets away with bullying, not only Katherine, every woman he comes in contact with…. DISGUSTING
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He got off way too easy.He should have jail time and pay the nanny.If he wasn’t rich he would have been jail time.
They just do not come scummier than this guy.
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So he did it, got away with it paid off yet another woman, atleast proceeds will benift RAPE VICTIMS. He is a RAPIST he admitted that by agreeing to what he had to pay. So if YOUR RICH RAPING IS FINE AS LONG AS YOU PAY FOR IT IN THE END IN SOUTH CAROLINA. THANKS. No wonder our kids are such a mess and he still gets to he with his. SHAME ON YOU. My rapist got 30 years, fined and will be 49 when he walks out. Life Of The Rich And Famous. What is it going to take for him to go to jail. Next time it will get worse. Sad… Just a bunch of …..’.
What BS!
He is such a piece of crap!
What a shitcase. I hope he get jumped in an alley.