The former husband of 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' personality Britani Bateman has been taken into custody in Utah, accused of flouting a court order designed to protect her. John Underwood, who was married to Bateman from 2016 until their divorce in 2023, was arrested on Friday, 12th December, according to legal documents seen by the Daily Mail.
Allegations of Harassment and Leaked Details
The arrest stems from an incident earlier in December, where Underwood is alleged to have publicly disclosed Bateman's personal mobile number. The Lehi Police Department first spoke with Bateman on Tuesday, 9th December, after she reported receiving a stream of unwanted calls and texts from strangers while she was in New York.
One such message, sent by an anonymous individual, informed Bateman that her ex-husband had posted her number in the comments of a TikTok video she had collaborated on. Screenshots provided to Bateman reportedly showed Underwood writing, 'There ya go. Give her a call.' This led to not only intrusive communications but also unknown individuals turning up at her home, forcing her to change her phone number.
Legal Repercussions and Past Accusations
As Bateman was linked to the TikTok post, police stated they had 'probable cause' to arrest Underwood for violating the active protective order, which remains in effect until 22nd June 2026. He was charged with 'Violation of a Protective Order' and 'Electronic Disclosure of Personal Identifying Information' and was initially held without bail.
This arrest is the latest development in a protracted and bitter legal dispute. Prosecutors claimed in a subsequent court hearing that Underwood has harassed Bateman consistently since the order was imposed nearly three years ago. Allegations include him staring at her from the mandated 25-foot distance, tampering with her home's electrical box, and having her mail rerouted.
A Contentious Divorce and Ongoing Lawsuits
The couple's divorce, finalised in October 2023, was fraught with financial conflict. Bateman has previously accused Underwood of draining shared business accounts, cutting her off from joint ventures like the Starwood Group and Pure Productions, and failing to add her to relevant business accounts. A domestic relations injunction was supposed to govern their conduct, including strict rules on proximity and even dictating alternate days they could visit their country club.
Separately, Bateman has filed a $2.5 million lawsuit against Underwood for intentional infliction of emotional distress, citing 'controlling and abusive' behaviour during their marriage. Underwood's attorney, Randy S. Kester, has previously denied these claims, calling them 'false and exaggerated'. The outcomes of a scheduled December 2024 hearing on the injunction violations and the ongoing civil suit remain pending.
