After latest court appearance, Darnell 'SuperChef' Ferguson says charges against him are 'bogus'

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Celebrity "SuperChef" and former Louisville restaurant owner Darnell Ferguson was back in court Monday on charges he said are "bogus."

"One thing for sure is that I am who I say I am," he said Monday outside the courthouse in downtown Louisville "And I've been like that. Everyone who knows me knows that, and it'll be proven in court in front of 12 people if it needs to be. The career will bounce back better than it's ever been. I just want this to go away. That way me and my family can move forward."

Earlier this year, Ferguson pleaded not guilty to several charges alleging he assaulted his wife. In February, he was indicted for first-degree burglary, first-degree strangulation, fourth-degree assault, third-degree terroristic threatening, menacing and criminal mischief.

But in April, his wife, Tatahda Ferguson, released a statement saying she reacted in the "heat of the moment" on Jan. 2, 2024, and called police after an intense argument with Ferguson "that really didn't warrant their involvement."

WDRB News does not typically name alleged domestic violence victims, but, in this case, she denied she was attacked and her attorney identified her.

"Darnell is a good man!" Tatahda Ferguson said in the statement sent by her attorney in April. "I have never felt unsafe or threatened by him and he has always been an incredible father to our children. It hurts my heart the way he's being vilified. I am coming forward to try and do what's right to clear his name and help our family heal."

In the statement, she also said she believed her words were "twisted by certain law enforcement officials" looking to "make a name for themselves at the expense of my husband's celebrity status."

Darnell Ferguson is known nationally from various TV shows, including as a host on Food Network's "SuperChef Grudge Match." He also competed on several of the network's other shows, including "Tournament of Champions."

In court Monday, Darnell Ferguson's attorney, Krsna Tibbs, said this has had an "adverse impact" on Ferguson's job.

"It's exhausting — no work, no nothing, just trying to stay in my kids' life," Darnell Ferguson said Monday. "Not stay in their life but try to keep them motivated and stuff like that, because it's a weight on our whole family. Just trying to get through this season."

Tibbs said he's prepared to get a trial date. On Monday, Judge Susan Schultz Gibson set the next court appearance for Aug. 12. At that date, Tibbs expects to learn of a date for trial.

Prosecutors did not speak with the media after court Monday. The office of the Jefferson County Commonwealth's Attorney said its ability to comment on any open case is limited, adding in a statement that: "Our office fairly and equitably pursues justice in every case we handle."

WDRB News reached out to the attorney's office for Tatahda Ferguson on Monday but did not hear back.

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