‘Empire’ Actor Morocco Omari Arrested After Woman Accuses Him of Domestic Violence
Empire actor Morocco Omari was arrested this week in Chicago and accused of misdemeanor domestic battery after a woman claimed he shoved her to the ground, police tell PEOPLE.
Omari’s publicist dismissed the allegation as “blatantly false” and said he was “extremely confident” that the actor “will be completely vindicated in this matter.”
Chicago police say they responded to a call about 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, where a 24-year-old woman told officers that Omari had allegedly pushed her down to the ground multiple times during a verbal argument.
The woman said she suffered scratches to her chest and neck, according to police. She was identified by police as Omari’s girlfriend, though his publicist disputes that.
Omari, 46, was arrested Wednesday and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery, police said.
They said he was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, but his publicist tells PEOPLE that Omari has not appeared before a judge to enter a plea.
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In a statement, Omari’s publicist said the actor “would like to thank his fans for their support,” adding, “[Omari] was brought up by his mother and grandmother and is the proud father of two minor daughters. He has long been an advocate of anti-violence against women.”
“He has never displayed any hint of violence toward women and never will,” the publicist continued. “Violence against women simply isn’t in Omari’s DNA.”
Omari plays Empires Tariq Cousins, an FBI agent and the half-brother of Terrence Howard’s Lucious Lyon.
He has previously appeared on Homeland and Person of Interest, among other series.
