Shivangi Sinha
Discovery+’s ‘Hollywood Demons: Housewives Gone Bad’ dives deep into the untold stories and controversial backstories of several former cast members from the ‘Real Housewives’ franchise. One of the standout features is Kevin Maher, the ex-husband of Danielle Staub, who was part of ‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey.’ Maher’s tell-all book played a pivotal role in sparking the infamous table-flipping scene. In the episode, Maher reflected on his tumultuous relationship with Danielle and offered candid insights into their past. He revealed what he really thought about her persona and actions on the show.
Kevin Maher’s Book Revealed Many Secrets From Danielle Staub’s Past
In 1985, Kevin Maher was working as an undercover informant for the FBI and other federal agencies. He was trying to turn his life around after having previously been convicted of several felonies. The work offered him a sense of stability and purpose. During one of his assignments, Maher recalled meeting a drug dealer named John, and the two ended up at a hotel for a business-related meeting. It was there that he met a woman named Beverly Ann Merrill (who would later become known to the world as Danielle Staub.) He was instantly captivated by her and according to him, their relationship quickly became intensely sexual. He claimed it wasn’t just physical, but there was an emotional connection, too. On the second day of knowing her, Danielle allegedly confided in him that she was out on bail and expecting to serve prison time soon.
Maher alleged that Danielle had been working alongside a drug dealer with a long criminal record. According to him, the dealer allegedly kidnapped and assaulted a man from Buffalo. It was alleged that the former stole cocaine worth $25,000 and the victim was held hostage and beaten. In connection with the case, Danielle was arrested in 1985 and charged with multiple offenses, including extortion, kidnapping, and drug possession. Danielle later stated that she had no involvement in the kidnapping itself and insisted that her role was limited to speaking with the victim’s father regarding a drug debt. Maher alleged that he revealed to her that he was working as a federal informant. He claimed that he used his connections and influence to help her avoid prison, which resulted in her receiving a reduced sentence of five years of probation and being charged solely with extortion.
Maher and Danielle were married in 1988, but their relationship lasted only about a year and ended in 1989. Maher has alleged that the marriage fell apart due to infidelity on Danielle’s part and claimed she had multiple affairs during their time together. Years later, in January 1996, Charles Kipps published a book titled ‘Cop Without a Badge: The Extraordinary Undercover Life of Kevin Maher,’ where he detailed Maher’s life as an informant and wrote extensively about his relationship with Danielle. He also alleged in the book that she had been working as an exotic dancer when they first met. For years, he had no contact with Danielle—until 2009, when he saw her on television. Her past resurfaced on the show when fellow cast members brought up his book and questioned her about her alleged history.
Kevin Maher Settled His Defamation Lawsuit Outside of Court
When the episode aired, Kevin Maher gave an interview expressing his shock upon discovering that his ex-wife had become a reality TV star, saying he was “flipped out” by the news. In May 2009, he filed a defamation lawsuit against Danielle, citing comments she made in an interview that implied he had abused her and committed other cruel acts. He admitted that he had hit her a couple of times and apologized for his actions but refuted the other claims like that of him being a dog killer. Initially, he sought $5 million in damages, but by October 2010, the case was privately settled out of court. Later, Maher threatened to sue Danielle and her publishers again over claims made in her upcoming book, though it appears the situation never escalated to legal action.
Kevin Maher is Currently Awaiting the Release of a Film Based on His Life
Kevin Maher had a troubled upbringing, and by the age of 17, he was already involved in petty criminal activity. He was caught driving a stolen car, and when police attempted to stop him, they led them on a high-speed chase from the Bronx to the Catskills. This incident resulted in a four-year prison sentence, and he later faced incarceration for other crimes as well. Maher’s life began to turn around when he met Detective Jim Doherty, who became a mentor and father figure to him. Under Doherty’s guidance, Maher began working as an informant and eventually collaborated with agencies such as the NYPD, the DEA, and the FBI. He played a significant role in undercover operations, even infiltrating high-stakes environments like Colombian drug cartel circles.
Maher has openly spoken about his struggles with drug dependency and how it deeply impacted his life. He has been married twice and has said that his battles with addiction played a major role in the breakdown of both relationships. After stepping away from his work as an informant, he found employment at a security firm in New Jersey, though he appears to have retired from that role as well. In 2021, Maher launched a YouTube channel named The FBI Informant Kevin Maher, where he has been consistently active. His videos often cover topics like his time as an informant, the various cases he was involved in, and his experiences in prison. He has also shared numerous posts discussing his past relationship with Danielle Staub.
He has openly admitted that he was still married to his first wife, Beth, when he married Danielle. He acknowledged the issue of bigamy and took full responsibility for his actions at the time. When he filed the defamation lawsuit against Danielle, he was married to Maribel, but it appears that the relationship has since ended. Recently, Maher announced that he has secured a deal for a movie based on his life and expressed excitement about the project. He shared that the writing process is moving quickly and promised to reveal more details about the production company soon. Maher seems enthusiastic about what lies ahead and is looking forward to this next chapter.
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