Tom Arnold's Ex-Wife Files Restraining Order, Claims Actor Threatened She 'Will Not Be Safe'
By Favour Adegoke on May 18, 2024 at 9:00 AM EDT
Updated on May 21, 2024 at 5:24 PM EDT
Tom Arnold's ex-wife, Ashley Groussman, has filed for a temporary restraining order against the actor, claiming he verbally assaulted her.
The pair, who finalized their divorce in 2020, share two children together, and according to Groussman, her ex-husband threatened her that she would not be "welcomed or safe" when she came to pick up their kids for their regular exchange.
Arnold and Groussman were married for ten years before they divorced. A court ordered the actor to pay Groussman spousal support and child support.
UPDATE: The TRO referenced in this article was denied the same day it was filed and Tom Arnold has since denied all related allegations.
Tom Arnold's Ex-Wife, Ashley Groussman, Claims He Has Been 'Threatening My Safety'
According to a legal document obtained by The Blast, Groussman is requesting a temporary restraining order against the Hollywood star, alleging that he verbally assaulted her and threatened her and her safety.
The ex-couple shares a son, Jax, 10, and daughter, Quinn, 7, and has an arrangement in place regarding custody of the kids. However, in her recent filing, Groussman claims Arnold "privately and publicly verbally attacks" her, citing instances when she comes to pick up their children from their father.
"[Arnold] is threatening me and my safety! At the very end of March 2024, he wrote to me, 'You won't be welcome or safe' if I attempt to pick up the kids for our regular exchange. He then failed to exchange our children after making this safety threat," Groussman wrote in her recent filing.
She continued, "[Arnold] repetitively harasses me verbally and disturbs my peace! On OFW, podcasts, and other social platforms, all of which are accessible and viewed by our children, I receive a barrage of insults daily via OFW. Some of the most recent harassing statements sent last week on OFW are that I am a 'narcissistic abuser,' 'narcissistic sociopath,' that I am 'sick,' 'cruel,' 'selfish,' and that I have a 'personality disorder.'"
"OFW" [Our Family Wizard] is a messaging app for former couples co-parenting their kids amid or after divorce.
In her court filing, Groussman further alleged that the actor abuses her on a "daily basis.
Ashley Groussman Called The Cops On The Actor
Groussman first filed for a restraining order against Arnold in 2020. At the time, The Blast reported that she claimed he had refused to return their children and made several derogatory remarks about her on social media.
Groussman shared that the situation became so bad that the authorities had to get involved as she called the cops on her ex-husband.
In her filing, she revealed that on January 3, 2020, Arnold "claimed to have absconded with the children during my custodial time, then refused to drop them off per our agreement until I involved the police. Following the police assisted exchange, [Arnold] sent harassing text to me and my sister."
She detailed other instances of alleged verbal and emotional abuse from Arnold after getting cops involved, including one moment when the actor allegedly taped a photo of Donald Trump over her face in a picture.
Tom Arnold Claimed His Ex-Wife Was 'Making Up Stories'
Arnold released a statement in 2020, responding to reports of his ex-wife calling the cops on him over his alleged refusal to return their children.
He wrote at the time, "The mother of my kids makes up stories & stages reckless, foolish & dangerous stunts, some with her family. Some at my home. Some at where she and sister Andrea live next to her parents Joyce & Stephen. Brother Mark Groussman just bought a huge new house on the block."
Arnold continued, "The kids told me. who know? I know his sister Ashley's fake stunts involve the police. She did one in front of each of our children's schools over the last 2 weeks trying to get me arrested in front of our kids again. I'm going to court next week to try to get custody finally. That explains her escalating maybe. Until then Jax is my wingman."
Tom Arnold Has Stopped Paying Ashley Groussman Spousal Support, But Still Pays Child Support
After the former couple finalized their divorce in 2020, Arnold was ordered by a court to pay his ex-wife $4,383 in spousal support every month until he reaches the age of 65. The actor turned 65 on March 6.
According to Entertainment Tonight, Arnold was also ordered to pay $2,617 in child support every month until their kids are 18 years old.
Groussman will also receive 50% of the net income from "all right, title and interest in 12 intellectual properties relating to underlying works which were created during the marriage." These works include Arnold's shows, such as "Trailer Park Boys," "Hard Breakers," and "NCIS."
In the divorce settlement, Arnold, for his part, waived all rights to receive spousal from Groussman.
The Couple 'Grew Apart' And Were 'Moving In Different Directions'
Speaking about their split, Arnold told ET that he and Groussman "grew apart" over the years, noting they had moved in "different directions."
He said, "For the last couple years we grew apart and have been moving in different directions, which is why at this time we have decided to end our marriage. I told Ashley that it's her life, we had great years together and there doesn't have to be a reason or a bad guy to move on. Go live your life, you owe me nothing."
Arnold added, "We're both crazy about these kids. We have two amazing children that we love very much and while she has moved out we will be working together to co-parent. My kids are my entire life and their happiness is all I care about. We ask for privacy during this time of transition in our family."
