Lenny Hochstein files defamation lawsuit against estranged wife Lisa Hochstein over abuse allegations… amid their ugly divorce

Lenny Hochstein has filed a defamation lawsuit against his estranged wife Lisa Hochstein.

The Real Housewives of Miami alum, 57, filed the suit after the reality star, 41, posted a photo of a bruise on her arm and hinted that he had abused her.

According to court documents obtained by DailyMail.com, Lenny filed a civil suit on Friday seeking more than $50,000 in damages as well as attorneys' fees.

In the lawsuit, Lenny denies the abuse claims and claims Lisa suffered the bruise after “losing her balance” while walking upstairs while they were arguing.

DailyMail.com has contacted Lisa's representatives for comment.

“It was because [Lisa] as usual it was shouting and swearing [Lenny] when he came home from work, as she did almost every day, and told him that he never does anything right, so [Lenny] tried to walk away and started walking up the stairs and [Lisa] walked ahead [him] backed up the stairs so she could continue screaming [his] face and [she] lost her balance and fell on a flight of stairs,” the filing said.

'[Lisa’s] lies about abuse are no surprise to [Lenny] as [Lisa] has publicly stated that she must take revenge [her ex] for what [Lisa] claims constitute harassment,” the document continues.

'Yet [Lenny] is not intimidating [Lisa] but rather present the truth that [Lisa] dislikes.'

Lenny also released a statement on the situation denouncing domestic violence.

'I am against all forms of violence, especially against women. Domestic violence in intimidating relationships is a serious problem in our society and its victims deserve protection and a safe space to speak out.

“Unfortunately, Lisa has taken it upon herself to discredit and mock actual victims of domestic violence by posting photos of a self-inflicted bruise, claiming I was responsible.”

'I have hired a lawyer and filed a lawsuit to protect myself from this defamation. A highly credible forensic pathologist has already investigated the case and confirmed that Lisa did not sustain the bruise as a result of an alleged violent dispute.”

In the documents, Lenny also accuses Lisa of cheating on him with her current boyfriend, Jody Glidden, calling her the “real 'homewrecker' of Miami.”

The lawsuit comes just days after Lisa shared a photo to her Instagram Story showing a bruise on her arm, along with a pointed caption.

'I didn't want to share this. But I have no choice,” she captioned the photo.

'I am being threatened and harassed through the legal system and through 'others' by Lenny and that has to stop.

'This was almost two weeks old compared to last season. Maybe you got this bruise during the episode when I told the women on the show about the divorce.”

Lenny denied abusing his estranged wife, and in a statement shared exclusively with DailyMail.com, he claimed Lisa suffered the bruise after falling on a staircase in their home.

Lenny, who has been embroiled in an ugly divorce from Lisa for more than a year, also insisted he had never physically abused his estranged wife “or any woman in my life.”

'When I tried to walk upstairs she walked in front of me, for some reason she decided to walk backwards up the stairs so she could keep shouting at me in my face.'

'She fell and landed on her left upper arm. I have never physically abused Lisa, or any woman for that matter, in my life. I am against all forms of violence, especially against women.'

“Lisa is aware of this and the fact that she would even suggest I had anything to do with this proves exactly what kind of person she is.”

This isn't the first time claims of physical abuse have come to light during the couple's bitter divorce proceedings.

In previous court documents, Lenny accused Lisa of pushing and verbally assaulting him during a dispute at their $10 million Star Island mansion.

Lisa and the plastic surgeon tied the knot in 2009. In October 2022, he filed for divorce from Lisa.

That same month he went public with girlfriend Katharina Mazepa, whom he proposed to in July.

Lisa has claimed that Mazepa was Lenny's 'mistress', which he denied and said they started dating after he and Lisa had already divorced.

Lisa and Lenny share son Logan, 8, and daughter Elle, 4. In April, Lenny was ordered to pay Lisa $8,000 a month in temporary support.

However, according to Page Six, he filed an emergency motion with the court on August 10 to revoke his divorce settlement. The exes had previously reached an agreement on the settlement.

In one of the documents, Lenny's attorney noted that he had taken steps to withdraw the settlement “in anticipation” that Lisa would reject it.

Despite his documents appearing to indicate he and Lisa were continuing to work out a fairer settlement, a source close to the former couple described his latest moves as another attempt to harm Lisa by prolonging their grueling divorce proceedings.

The source claimed he withdrew the settlement to delay the legal process in an attempt to force her into “bankruptcy” with mounting legal costs.

They also claimed he tried to get her to sign another “low-ball” settlement.