Don Lemon Assault Case Dropped by Accuser After 'Inner Reflection' and 'Deep Dive' into His Memory

Don Lemon.Photo: John Lamparski/WireImage In a statement to PEOPLE via his attorney Robert Barnes, Hice said of the news: “After a lot of inner reflection and a deep dive into my memory, I have come to realize that my recollection of the events that occurred on the night in question when I first met CNN anchor Don Lemon were not what I thought they were when I filed this lawsuit. As a result, I am dropping the case.

Don Lemon Draws Trump Backlash as His Show Pauses to Joke About the President & His Supporters

The viral moment came as Lemon was interviewing a panel about Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’srecent, profane blow-upat NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly in which he challenged her to find Ukraine on a map after he reportedly said, “Do you think Americans care about Ukraine?” (Ukraine is at the center of President Trump’simpeachment trialfor alleged abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.) The guests on Lemon’s show, former Republican strategist Rick Wilson andNew York Timescolumnist Wajahat Ali, cracked themselves up with jokes about hypothetical Trump supporters after Wilson asserted that the president himself wouldn’t be able to find Ukraine on a map.

Don Lemon Fired by CNN: 'I Am Stunned'

Lemon continued: “After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly. At no time was I ever given any indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work I have loved at the network. It is clear that there are some larger issues at play.” Lemon ended his statement with a thank you to his colleagues.

Don Lemon Is Enjoying 'Bonus Time' with Fiancé After CNN Departure as He's Spotted Vacationing in the Hamptons

Photo:Elder Ordonez / SplashNews.com Elder Ordonez / SplashNews.com Don Lemon is enjoying his free time following hissudden termination from CNNin April, a source tells PEOPLE, adding that the formerCNN This Morningco-host is summering in the Hamptons with his fiancéTim Maloneand mulling various next steps in his career. “Don is very happy at the moment,” the source says. “He has several opportunities he’s mulling. He’s enjoying his extra bonus time with his fiancé this summer in the Hamptons.

Don Lemon Is Getting Married! CNN Anchor Announces Engagement to Tim Malone

Don Lemonis engaged!TheCNN Tonightanchor, 53, revealed how his boyfriend Tim Malone proposed in an Instagram post shared on Saturday. “He gave me a present on his birthday. How could I say no?” Lemon captioned two photos of dog collars that read “Daddy Will You Marry Papa?” around the necks of their pets Boomer and Barkley.Malone shared the same photo on his Instagram Story, writing: “He said Yes!”His proposal took place after he and Lemon celebrated the real estate agent’s birthday early on Friday evening in Manhattan.