Second ‘Millionaire Matchmaker’ guest charged with assaulting a woman

A man who once appeared on the Bravo TV show “Millionaire Matchmaker” – which pairs wealthy suitors with eligible companions – has been charged with abusing and threatening a woman, authorities said. It’s the second guest from the show to be charged this month with abusing a woman.

John Bonavia, 31, was arrested after Beverly Hills police found a woman with “significant facial and upper body injuries” when they responded to the 200 block of Spalding Drive on Sept. 12, Beverly Hills Police Lt. Lincoln Hoshino said.

When officers arrived at the address about 1 a.m., they found an uncooperative man, later identified as Bonavia, and had to kick open the front door to reach the brutalized woman, Hoshino said.

Bonavia, once described on the Bravo network website as a “party boy investor” with a net worth of $1 million, was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, resisting arrest and a probation violation, police said.

He’s being held without bail and faces one felony count each of domestic violence with great bodily injury and criminal threats, Hoshino said.

Earlier this month, Michael Bernback, another guest on the television show, was charged Sept. 3 with eight felonies including forcible rape, rape of an unconscious person and administering a drug to commit rape, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

The 62-year-old also was charged with three misdemeanors for alleged possession of ecstasy, cocaine and GHB, prosecutors said. Prosecutors said Bernback “tied and bound” a woman during an alleged sexual assault.

Bernback was arrested Aug. 13 at his Sherman Oaks home, police said. In KCBS-TV Channel 2 footage of the arrest, he is seen barefoot and donning a robe. He’s scheduled to be arraigned Monday.

For breaking news in California, follow @MattHjourno.

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