Stephen Collins is still enduring the harsh glare of the spotlight in the wake of Monday's audio tape revelation that he molested at least three underage girls at some point in the past.
But things are getting uglier.
The 7th Heaven actor hasn't spoken or issued any statement, but his lawyer, Mark Kaplan, is pointing the finger at Faye Grant, the actor's estranged wife, as the source of the leaked tape.
Kaplan, who has not responded to USA TODAY's requests for comment, tells TMZ that Grant has been holding the tape over the actor's head as leverage to get money from him as their nasty divorce case drags on.
"Over the course of my representation of Stephen in the divorce case, Faye has repeatedly threatened to give this audio tape to the media unless Stephen agreed to pay her millions of dollars more than that to which she was legally entitled."
Divorce proceedings to end the 27-year marriage started in 2012. Grant, 57, starred on TV shows including V and State of Grace, and she co-starred with Collins in the 1996 TV movie, On Seventh Avenue.
Kaplan says Grant has attempted "to peddle the tape in numerous ways to numerous different people. It appears that she has finally found an audience for this tape — not surprisingly, on the eve of the trial in the divorce case where, again, she is seeking millions of dollars more than that to which she is legally entitled."
Grant issued a statement denying any involvement. "I had no involvement whatsoever with the release of the tape to the media."
But in divorce documents, she states that Collins was living a "secret life," engaging in a "long-term pattern of sexually abusing minor children, including sexually molesting three young girls over a decade ago."
As for the molestation, Kaplan says he'd like to address the audio confession but "the circumstances dictate that we must regrettably refrain from doing so at this time."
Reports flew Tuesday night that the beloved 7th Heaven actor, 67, had committed suicide. Los Angeles police went to his home, responding to a call, but he wasn't there. No one was hurt.
In the wake of the tape going public, Collins has been dropped from the upcoming movie Ted 2, and networks including UP and TVGN have pulled 7th Heaven reruns from their schedules.
Meanwhile, two 7th Heaven co-stars have spoken out about Collins. Catherine Hicks, who played Collins' wife on the show, was asked by a videographer about the news. "I have nothing to say, nothing to hide. Stephen's a good guy in my opinion," she said.
And Kyle Sears, who had a small role on the show, recalls nothing unusual on the set. "He was definitely a father figure to everyone," he tells TMZ.
