CNN
(CNN) – “Scandal” actor Columbus Short has been removed from the African Dance and Drum Project performance after his ex-wife claimed he threatened to kill her and their infant son.
Shayla Short, Columbus Short’s ex-wife, sued her former husband in October 2017, alleging that he got “angry, abusive and violent” while he was the father of their infant son. She also accused him of physically abusing their then-eight-month-old daughter, Madilyn.
Short told The Hollywood Reporter that his ex-wife is “sad and frustrated.”
“She filed these false divorce docs for political gain because I would not give her an iron clad prenup and she knew it, and she knew that I had a wife who fought for me,” Short said. “It’s disappointing that the real victims of domestic violence need to lie to cover their own asses because when women lie about men, they just get hired and get paid. It’s sad because those women need healing, not drama.”
Columbus Short was dismissed from the ABC drama “Scandal” in February 2015 after he was arrested for allegedly punching his ex-wife during a heated argument.
Last fall, Short made reference to the pending court case when he told Chris Rock on his SiriusXM radio show: “It’s gonna be beautiful and it’s gonna be over real soon.”
Columbus Short is set to appear on Broadway in September.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Short played Darius McCrary in an episode of “Cops” in 1993 and again starred in the TV movie “Misery Grew Up” in 1996. He was nominated for a Tony Award in 2004 for the musical revival of “Sweet Charity.”
On Monday, Columbus Short posted a statement from his attorney on Instagram that read: “The African Dance and Drum Project has ended its engagement with Columbus Short due to these allegations. Short will not continue with their tour.”
A rep for the African Dance and Drum Project did not respond to a request for comment.