NEW YORK — Aaron Phypers is claiming that Denise Richards manufactured allegations of abuse as a means to distract from an affair that he uncovered earlier this year.

Less than two weeks after filing for divorce from the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum, 52-year-old Phypers told TMZ during a virtual interview that he learned his wife was cheating when he found illicit texts on her laptop back in February.

He says he confronted Richards who begged Phypers not to leave her, assuring him she was “so sorry” and “won’t do that again.” They decided to stay together, but Phypers says he later found texts going up until late May.

Fast forward to July 4 weekend, Phypers claims Richards stole his phone and denied having it — at one point even “hitting” and “scratching” him when he questioned her about the device. Phypers says he found the phone a day later smashed in their recycling bin, but she continued to deny having anything to do with it.

Asked why he thinks Richards would destroy his phone, Phypers says the device had photos of all the texts that would prove her alleged affair.

Phypers filed for divorce on July 7, citing irreconcilable differences and asking for spousal support. Richards followed that earlier this week by requesting a temporary restraining order against Phypers, noting allegations of longstanding abuse including claims that he would “violently choke” her and “slam [her] head into the bathroom towel rack.”

The court filing, obtained by TMZ, included a photo from 2022 showing Richards with a black eye, which she alleges her husband gave her. Phypers meanwhile insists it was the result of Richards taking a drunken fall at his office and hitting her head on “a pole with a light on it.”

Phypers claims other people were also present and can attest to the incident, adding that Richards “falls down a lot and it’s embarrassing. … It’s scary.”

Phypers asserts that he has never “hit [his] wife in the face, ever,” but does admit to having forcefully grabbed her on various occasions.

“I grabbed and restrained her when she was punching Sami,” he claims of the 21-year-old daughter Richards shares with ex-husband Charlie Sheen. The exes also share daughter Lola, 20.

Phypers says that Richards’ allegations have put him in “grave danger,” particularly on a financial level.

“The fact that she put this thing about me beating her, I’m like devastated,” he adds. “I wanted to work it out. But she’s gotta get help. It’s not for me now, it’s for herself and her daughters. I’m really worried about Eloise. It’s not a good situation. … She’s gotta get cleaned up and be responsible and own what she’s doing.”

Though Phypers confirmed in February that he’d become the adoptive father to Richards’ 14-year-old adopted daughter Eloise, court documents say the spouses have “no minor children” together.

The Daily News has reached out to a rep for Richards.

———

Lawyer says lawsuit is over between ex-NFL star Shannon Sharpe and woman who accused him of rape

LAS VEGAS — NFL Hall of Fame member Shannon Sharpe has resolved a lawsuit that accused him of sexually assaulting a woman during their relationship, her attorney said Friday.

“All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice,” Tony Buzbee said on X, meaning the lawsuit can't be refiled.

No details were released. The lawsuit had sought $50 million.

Sharpe called the allegations “false and disruptive” when the lawsuit was filed in April in Clark County, Nevada. He stepped away from work at ESPN at the time but had pledged to return by the start of the NFL preseason.

A phone message seeking comment from Sharpe's attorney, David Chesnoff, wasn't immediately returned Friday.

The woman first met Sharpe at a gym in Los Angeles in 2023 when she was 20, and a nearly two-year relationship followed, according to the lawsuit. Sharpe, 57, was accused of raping the woman in October 2024 and in January.

“Both sides acknowledge a long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship,” Buzbee said. “After protracted and respectful negotiations, I’m pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed upon resolution.”

Sharpe was a four-time All-Pro tight end who played on two Super Bowl-winning teams with Denver and one with Baltimore over 14 seasons from 1990 to 2003. He was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

Sharpe retired as the NFL’s all-time leader among tight ends in receptions (815), yards receiving (10,060) and touchdowns (62). Those records have been broken.

Sharpe has been a staple on TV and social media since retiring. He left FS1’s sports debate show “Undisputed” in 2023 and joined ESPN soon afterward.

———

Snoop Dogg joins ownership group of Welsh soccer club Swansea

SWANSEA, Wales — Snoop Dogg has become a “co-owner and investor” of Welsh soccer club Swansea.

The former Premier League club, which plays in the English second division, didn’t disclose financial details in Thursday’s announcement, which shines a spotlight on yet another unheralded team from Wales after Wrexham's well-documented journey.

“My love of football is well known, but it feels special to me that I make my move into club ownership with Swansea City,” the American rapper and entertainment icon said in the announcement.

“The story of the club and the area really struck a chord with me,” he added. “This is a proud, working class city and club. An underdog that bites back, just like me.”

Snoop Dogg, who has more than 88 million Instagram followers, helped launch the team's 2025-26 home shirt last weekend.

The club ownership group added: “To borrow a phrase from Snoop’s back catalogue, this announcement is the next episode for Swansea City as we seek to create new opportunities to boost the club’s reach and profile.”

Luka Modric, who recently signed with AC Milan from Real Madrid, joined Swansea's ownership group in April.

From combined wire services