Darius McCrary Accused of Choking, Beating Karrine Steffans

Darius McCrary is back in the news, for all the wrong reasons.

The former Family Matters star, who was accused by ex-wife Karrine Steffans of abuse in June 2008, has been ordered to remain at least 100 yards away from his former flame.

A judge agreed to this temporary restraining order in response to legal documents filed by Steffans this week. They cite two separate encounters with McCrary.

In February, Steffans - who rose to fame by starring in a number of rap videos - claims McCrary "choked me from behind and beat me with a belt. The alleged attack took place in front of her 12-year-old son.

Karrine also says McCrary choked her and shoved her into a car during a November incident that was witnessed by a crowd of people at the Sunset Marquis Hotel in Los Angeles.

A court hearing is scheduled for next week. McCrary and Steffans divorced earlier this year.

UPDATE: In response, the actor says Steffans "didn't take the finality of the divorce well and has resorted to her old tricks of public defamation."