Terrence Howard's hit television drama Empire may not have been nominated for an Emmy, but the actor does have something else to celebrate. After an ongoing dispute with ex-wife Michelle Ghent over increased spousal support seemed like a never ending battle, the L.A. Superior Court judge has finally come to a decision, ruling in favor of the 46-year-old actor. However, the Superior Court judge had a few opinions of his own to add while making his decision, criticizing Howard's character by calling him a "bully."
Howard's former wife, Michelle Ghent, was looking to raise the amount of spousal support she's been receiving from him because of the recent popularity he's generated from the success of his Fox hip-hop series. Ghent already receives $5,800 a month. The judged denied the spousal support agreement that Howard claimed was only signed under intimidating circumstances, finding evidence that Ghent used "coercive control over Terrence" causing him to feel threatened.
"Terrence is a bully, but that doesn't mean he can't be bullied. Terrence has an unrelenting pattern of styling himself as the victims of rampant racism and unfair allegations about him," wrote the judge according to E! News. "A very accomplished actor, Terrence tried to minimize his conduct in past events including an incident on a Continental airline flight. However poorly Terrence may have acted in other settings, he was the only witness to testify concerning the telephone call between Terrence and Michelle."
E! News also obtained official documents containing Ghent's response to the ruling, writing that she and her legal team are very "disappointed" with the outcome of the trial. This wouldn't be the first time these two stepped in front of a court judge together. Ghent has sued Howard in the past for assault and battery, emotional distress, and defamation.
"We are, of course, disappointed with the Court's ruling today," Ghent's attorney wrote. "Both during and after their marriage, Mr. Howard physically beat and emotionally abused Michelle Ghent, establishing a pattern that continued throughout the marriage resulting in the issuance of multiple domestic violence restraining orders against him."
Ghent is debating on taking the lawsuit back to trial to fight the Court's ruling. The actor, who recently welcomed son Qirin Love into the world in mid-June, has yet to speak on the matter.
Season two of Empire premieres this fall on Sept. 23 at 9 p.m. ET on Fox.
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