Fox News Julie Banderas' husband arrested for holding knife to her throat  trends now

Just weeks before Fox News anchor Julie Banderas announced her imminent divorce on live TV, her soon-to-be ex-husband allegedly put a steak knife to her throat in an argument over mashed potatoes, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal.

Andrew Sansone, 55, was arrested and charged with menacing and criminal possession of a weapon, both misdemeanors, for the incident at their home in the Hamptons the night of December 14, according to papers filed in Southampton town court. 

He allegedly flew into a rage after she ate mashed potatoes he had prepared for the children's dinner, documents show. 

The Fox anchor, 49, claimed he grabbed a knife from the kitchen and pointed the blade at her neck, causing her to fear for her life, the police report states.

Their children, ages 6, 10 and 12, were reportedly elsewhere in the house at the time.

Banderas waited five days to call police on December 19 and her husband of 14 years was led out of the home by officers while the kids were off at school, sources told DailyMail.com. 

A judge later granted a restraining order prohibiting him from having further contact with his wife. However, he retains the right to visit the children, through curbside pickups, sources told DailyMail.com.

While the fight was allegedly triggered by her eating potatoes meant for the kids, the report states that the couple had been fighting earlier in the day.

According to the police report, the couple were arguing about money - a common flashpoint as the two battled over their pending divorce and child custody issues, sources told DailyMail.com.

Sources said that Sansone is pursuing primary custody of their kids as well as financial support from his more successful spouse.

Banderas, who joined the Fox News Channel in 2005, serves as a rotating weekday anchor and guest co-host on Outnumbered. She was awaded the ‘Outstanding Single Newscast’ Emmy for her coverage of the Republican National Convention in 2004.

Sansone, a financial advisor, filed for divorce in March. 

The pair continued to live together but argued more often as their divorce proceeded in court.

Banderas' social media papers are often filled with photos of their children – Addison, Avery and Andrew – doing various activities, including their daughter Avery singing.

But little was seen of Sansone.