Taylor Armstrong

Taylor Armstrong reportedly pocketed $125,000 for selling photos of herself in the hospital, as the result of an alleged beating at the fists of Russell Armstrong, to Entertainment Tonight.

But as shady as that move may be, an attorney for Taylor's late husband has made an even more startling accusation: Ronald Richards says the pictures are a hoax.

Richards says Taylor's black eye may be real, but it was NOT caused by his client. Instead, the lawyer cites plastic surgery as a possible basis for the marks.

"If Mr. Armstrong was the cause of those injuries he would have been arrested and prosecuted," Richards tells TMZ, highlighting the fact that Taylor never filed a police report.

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This week, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills finished up their trip to Beaver Creek and we take a look at who reached new high or low points in our +/- recap!

Taylor was on a downward spiral. This girl was just a mess. Her moods have shifted from miserable to distraught to kind of scary. But the ladies earned a Plus 7 for trying to help, even though they weren't all that successful at it.

Kim took on the mothering role when she woke up to find a half naked, crying Taylor in her bed. I doubt she was expecting that. Having been divorced, Kim tries her best to console Taylor on her troubled marriage. Plus 8 for making the effort to point out that everyone has problems and Taylor's not as alone as she feels.

Camille, however seemed content to hide in her room and let the drama play out without her. Honestly, I couldn't say I blamed her. I might hide too but she was the host. Minus 5 because she really should have checked on her guest.

Taylor's breakdown continued as she ended up crying in a closet and then became completely paranoid over a missing makeup bag. Heaven forbid dinner with the ladies not be in full makeup.

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The late Russell Armstrong had a history of domestic violence dating back long before his assault on estranged wife Taylor became public knowledge.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills stars' five-year-old daughter Kennedy never saw Russell attack Taylor Armstrong, however, a new report says.

Entertainment Tonight, who aired this Taylor Armstrong abuse photo and spoke with the reality star, made the revelation on its program Wednesday.

ET reported that six weeks before he hanged himself (or was murdered, according to some people), Russell sought to change his will, although he never did so.

The program also delved into Russell’s past violence towards women.

Armstrong had two separate restraining orders filed against by him, one by his ex-wife, and one by an ex-girlfriend, as well as a battery conviction in 1997.

Russell married Barbara Armstrong in 1997 and separated shortly after their son Aiden was born. She alleges he hit her while she was six months pregnant.

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Photos of Taylor Armstrong - taken of the reality star soon after an alleged beating from husband Russell, which Entertainment Tonight teased last month as "graphic and shocking" - have been released.

And they are, indeed, graphic and shocking.

The news program ran a commercial last night for a special that will air this evening, and it featured the following shot of a black-eyed Taylor in the hospital:

It's unclear when this picture was taken, but it was likely the result of a physical confrontation between Taylor and Russell immediately prior to the start of shooting on season two of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Expect more to hit the Web after Entertainment Tonight runs it report this week. But should these pics be made public? You tell us:

This week, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills headed out on a lovely ski vacation in the Rocky Mountain State. What could possibly go wrong in that scenario?

Let's find out in THG's +/- recap!

Before they leave we get a quick tour of Kyle's dream home. She says she drove past it for years and would stop just to send out her good energy, hoping that this house would someday be hers. Well, here's Plus 5 for good energy. It looks like a lovely home. 

The ladies head out for a Colorado ski adventure at Camille's place. How dangerous could it be? They could use a whole other limo for all of their luggage. Ladies, it's a weekend. You're not moving there. Minus 3.

This trip is a last hurrah for Camille who has to sell the ski chalet per her divorce agreement. It is a shame. The place is gorgeous but according to Lisa, Camille is in dire straits. She'll be down to only a couple of houses before long. Dear me. Minus 10. Heaven forbid someone be down to their last two mansions. How will she survive?

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Taylor Armstrong has agreed to a book deal in which she'll write about her relationship with late, estranged husband Russell.

An insider tells Radar Online that Taylor is struggling financially and will even include pictures of her alleged abuse at the hands of Russell in order to sell as many copies as possible.

“Taylor’s acting like she’s not trying to bank off Russell’s suicide, but by including photos of her injuries after he allegedly beat her, that’s exactly what she’ll be doing,” a source said, adding that castmates have been lending the reality star money.

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In the midst of major drama and controversy - actual, unscripted drama and controversy for a change - The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills kicked off season two last night. It earned -34 points from our critic.

Voices from across the Internet and the television dial have been chiming in on Bravo's decision to go through with the season in light of Russell Armstrong's suicide, but there are a few women at least who stand by the network: those employed by it.

Let's take a look at how various Real Housewives of New York City feel about the events.

Ramona Singer: "I think it is very tragic. But I don't think that the reality show is to blame for his unfortunate death. I think he had problems. And it's sad when someone has so many problems, they feel the only way they can eliminate their pain is by taking their life."

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The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills kicked off season two with quite a predicament on its hands, but in true reality TV fashion, it got over it quickly.

Let's recap the absurdity of it all in THG's +/- review ...

Russell Armstrong, wife of Housewife Taylor, committed suicide earlier this summer amid controversy of abuse allegations, a divorce, and financial troubles.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Sneak Peek

There was talk of postponing the season. There was talk of a memorial special. Instead we got a five-minute opener of the cast talking about how sad, angry, or guilty they felt and then ... we moved on. 

So we start with Minus 25. I'm not saying they had to dwell on it but a man's death seemed to deserve more than five minutes. Maybe it's just me.

But, moving on… If Lisa asked her little dog if it had to go wee wee one more time I thought I might be ill. Minus 5. And what's with the big push to get her daughter married off. She's only 24 for goodness sake. Minus another 5.

To Jason's credit he did the cute, old fashioned thing and asked her dad for permission. Plus 3 for going traditional.

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Despite the suicide of Russell Armstrong, sources now say Bravo will air The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season two premiere as scheduled, on September 5.

A few days after Taylor Armstrong laid her husband to rest, she's reportedly been telling friends that his death "wasn't caused by the show or Bravo."

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 2 Trailer

"Russell just simply cracked over ongoing legal and financial issues," a pal tells Radar Online of what Taylor has been saying. "The show bears no responsibility for his death, neither does the network. In fact, Bravo has been extremely supportive of Taylor during this tragedy."

It's impossible to know what role the Real Housewives played, of course, but Russell is on record as thinking very poorly of the reality show.

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Russell Armstrong was laid to rest at the Church of the Hills-Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills yesterday.

There's little to actually report because, thank goodness, Bravo did NOT film the event, but we know all cast members from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills were on hand to support Taylor Armstrong.

Sources confirm that Russell's remains will then be sent to Texas for a second service, as Taylor has been clashing with his family. From there, the body will be cremated and the ashes divided between Taylor and her in-laws.

It's still unclear how Bravo will handle the season premiere of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. In the most recent news related to this tragedy, Entertainment Tonight has discussed photos of Taylor in detail, taken after an alleged beating from her husband.