As our intrepid guest columnist Amy Feinstein noted in reviewing the fifth season finale of Bravo TV’s Southern Charm, it’s been difficult keeping the on-screen drama separate from the off-screen drama.

Of course regular readers of this news site know that’s par for the course with this show …

On-screen, we know the show’s male lead – former South Carolina treasurer Thomas Ravenel – appears to have bitten off more than he can chew with his latest girlfriend, Ashley Jacobs. We also know the show’s female lead (and the mother of two children with Ravenel) – diva Kathryn Dennis – is currently in the midst of a career renaissance, including being embraced by the show’s grand dame, former Ravenel ally Patricia Altschul.

Clearly things aren’t going so well for “T-Rav” on-screen, but that’s not where his real problems lie …

Off-screen, Ravenel is staring down the business end of a criminal investigation into multiple allegations of sexual assault. He’s also said to be dealing with some issues over an alleged sex tape – reportedly telling several of his intimates that he is being threatened by a yet-to-be-identified blackmailer.

The guy has a lot on his plate, in other words …

Unfortunately for him, his plate is about to get even more full …

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According to our sources, Ravenel, his new girlfriend and All About The Tea – a website that essentially serves as Ravenel’s mouthpiece – are ensnared in a new legal action related to the Charleston, S.C.-based reality show.

Details of this legal action weren’t immediately available, but we’re told the case was initiated by 37-year-old Luzanne Otte – a California lawyer who briefly dated Ravenel and was offered a role on Southern Charm (which she declined).

Since breaking things off with Ravenel, Otte has been the subject of a relentless smear campaign – and according to our sources she has finally had enough of it.

Otte wasn’t immediately available for comment, but we are reaching out to the prominent Atlanta, Georgia-based law firm she reportedly retained in the matter.

Stay tuned …

UPDATE: Feinstein has additional details on the case in her post. According to her, Otte has retained the services of Atlanta-based attorney L. Lin Wood, who has represented Dr. Phil and the family of JonBenet Ramsey. Wood also represented Richard Jewell, the security guard who was falsely implicated in the 1996 Centennial Olympic Park bombing.

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