Marciano Brunette files defamation lawsuit against Demi Engemann and hints at getting even.
Marciano Brunette is not holding back in his ongoing legal dispute with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives personality Demi Engemann.
Marciano, 32, shared an Instagram Reel on Saturday, December 6, where the reality TV figure mimed audio related to "getting even" with someone who has done wrong.
“If somebody does something to me, I’ll do something to them; this is basic logic,” the voiceover declares in the clip. “So you believe in getting even? Absolutely.”
The video surfaced just one day after Marciano filed a lawsuit against Engemann following her accusations of sexual assault.
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According to legal documents obtained by Us Weekly, Marciano and his legal team assert that Engemann, 31, falsely characterized him as a “sexual predator.” He also expressed concern about the potential negative impact the allegations could have on his career.
“The facts are straightforward. Engemann and Marciano crossed paths while filming in Italy. They flirted. They had private conversations. They shared a consensual kiss. They went their separate ways,” the documents state. “Following filming, Engemann remained in contact with Marciano for months through phone calls, FaceTime sessions, text messages, invitations, and even location sharing. This behavior suggests an ongoing connection, not the reaction of someone experiencing sexual assault.”
The documents further allege, “They accuse Marciano of criminal sexual misconduct that he did not commit. These claims were widely disseminated, repeatedly republished, and presented in a way designed to solidify as ‘truth’ in the public consciousness,” the documents continue. “The resulting damage has been immediate and severe, encompassing lost professional opportunities, harassment from strangers, and lasting harm to Marciano’s reputation.”
Demi, who is married to Bret Engemann, stated during a The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives confessional in the third season that physical contact between herself and Brunette was “unwanted.”
“Everyone handles these types of situations differently. You should never be subjected to unwanted touch,” the influencer explained at the time. “Regardless of what it looks like, and regardless of what your relationship was like before or after, unwanted touch remains unwanted touch.”
Marciano denied the allegations against him following the episode’s broadcast.
“It’s unfortunate to witness everything that is happening now, because everything that occurred [on Vanderpump Villa] was consensual,” Marciano claimed during an appearance on the “Juicy Scoop” podcast on November 25. “I will state unequivocally that the accusations she’s making against me are completely false.”
He issued a similar statement to People on November 20.
“I want to be absolutely clear: I am taking this matter extremely seriously,” Marciano said in the statement. “This represents the greatest challenge I have ever encountered, and the allegations leveled against me are not only entirely untrue but also profoundly damaging. I remain committed to addressing this situation comprehensively and openly.”
In an exclusive interview with Us in May, Demi insisted that nothing happened between the pair.
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“Nothing transpired with Marciano. At the risk of sounding impolite, there was absolutely no attraction to him. It's frustrating that women cannot be kind, friendly, or even playful with men in this world without it being misconstrued as availability. I was wearing my ring the entire time I was there,” she stated at the time. “I mentioned my marriage multiple times, and they were informed that we were married women — so it’s regrettable that we couldn’t just go and enjoy ourselves, and that he failed to respect those boundaries.”
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
