The Real Housewives of Rhode Island star Liz McGraw is shutting down rumors about her exit from the show after one season.
“It’s fascinating to me how everyone assumes my reason for leaving involves being afraid of ‘skeletons’ …’jail,’ etc.,” Liz, 56, wrote via her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, July 1, hours after she announced her departure from the Bravo reality show.
Liz’s announcement comes amid close friend Dino Guilmette’s ongoing legal battle. Dino, 47, who made an appearance on RHORI and was mentioned by Liz and husband Gerry McGraw multiple times, was arrested in March 2022 and charged with drug trafficking, conspiracy and financial fraud. He has been accused of supplying and conspiring to provide Lorazepam, a prescription sedative, to a friend’s girlfriend, in addition to defrauding a pandemic-era state program out of $7,000 in rent-relief money.
In a 2021 search warrant affidavit, Rhode Island State Police Detective Matthew Lynch alleged that Guilmette ran a cocaine operation in allegiance with the Patriarca crime family in Latest England, in response to multiple reports. Guilmette has not been formally indicted for Mafia-related racketeering, and his lawyer has denied the ties to the Mafia.
Guilmette, who could withstand 88 years behind bars if convicted, rejected a plea deal to avoid jail time last month, together with his lawyer noting that Guilmette has maintained his innocence. The case will return to court on July 17.
Liz and Gerry, 55, were dragged into the legal proceedings in 2021 once they were named as Guilmette’s associates within the affidavit, although they’ve not been accused of criminal activity. Fans have speculated that Liz pulled out of RHORI in anticipation of Guilmette’s trial.
“This is just not recent gossip … it has been the local slander for YEARS,” Liz continued in her post on Wednesday, seemingly referring to rumors that Guilmette’s case will uncover her own alleged nefarious activities. “If there have been even an oz of validity to it, I’d not have ever gone on a show! I realize that for some, it feels good to take a position, hate and defame my character, but I even have never been investigated, nor involved in ANY criminal case. It’s preposterous and folks should understand how utterly ridiculous it sounds.”
Liz concluded, “Sorry to disappoint. It’s wild to me how people feel at liberty to openly state such absurd claims as facts. Now that I even have time on my hands, I’ll start the technique of holding those originating and spreading such fiction accountable.”
Liz announced her exit from RHORI earlier on Wednesday.
“I’m stuffed with gratitude for the amazing opportunity to seem on this show,” she wrote via Instagram. “As filming for Season 2 begins, I even have made the choice to take a step back and deal with my family, my work and my passions.”
The Bravolebrity continued, “The RHORI solid is an incredible group of girls who’ve created something special. I’ll be watching next season, rooting for the continued success of this franchise. For now, I look ahead to having fun with this little corner of the world from the opposite side of the camera.”