Mystery man revealed! Vicki Gunvalson teased fans on Instagram by posting photos and several clues about her new boyfriend, but she has yet to reveal his name. Now, Us Weekly has identified him as a former police officer named Steve Lodge.
He now works as a consultant at a public affairs firm in Anaheim, California, according to his LinkedIn page, but he previously served as a top homicide detective and served in the military as a paratrooper in the United States Army. He also ran for a seat on the Anaheim City Council in 2012, according to the Huffington Post.
The Real Housewives of Orange County star first hinted at a new relationship — months after her painful split from longtime boyfriend Brooks Ayers — in a May 7 Instagram pic. “Date night #10 …I think,” she captioned the selfie of the couple. “#fun, #happy, #lovescountry, #politician, #retiredlawenforcement, #helikesme.”
She seems to be getting serious with her new beau, since he’s already met several of her family members. “After a long week and long flight home, I was still able to ‘rally’ to see my sister & brother in law, my good friend Brian and his fiancé and this incredible man next to me,” Gunvalson wrote in a Sunday, May 15, Instagram post with her arm around Lodge. The new couple also attended a Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball game with Gunvalson’s daughter, Briana Wolfsmith-Culberson, her son-in-law, Ryan Culberson, and her two grandsons on Saturday, May 21.
The reality star even gave a clue to Lodge’s first initial when she shared a pic of roses he sent her with an accompanying note that read “Happy Anniversary Baby, ’S.’” She captioned the May 16 photo: “After meeting this amazing man 1 month ago today, he surprised me with my 2nd set of roses in a week.”
Gunvalson seems to be moving on after a dramatic breakup with Ayers in August after four years of dating. The businessman caused lots of tension with the other ladies on RHOC after they accused him of falsifying medical records to prove he was diagnosed with cancer. Ayers later admitted that he lied about the documents, but he has still maintained his cancer diagnosis.
“I’m guilty of loving him and believing him. Who hasn’t believed someone that you loved?”” Gunvalson said of Ayers’ scandal on the RHOC reunion special. “I would never want to make something up like this; it’s actually quick sick. I’m embarrassed.”
