The attorney for "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Teresa Giudice and her husband said the couple were not the aggressors in an incident in the Dominican Republic that has led to a lawsuit, reports People.com.

"They acted in self-defense," said Jim Kridel, the couple’s attorney. He alleges that Teresa Giudice was being hit and assaulted and "is still in pain over this." The attorney denied allegations that Giudice and cast members assaulted the other family.

As previously reported, Giudice is being sued for allegedly beating up a vacationing family after she allegedly sprayed champagne into the eyes of 53-year-old Yolanda Martinez, triggering what has been described as a "bar brawl."