EXCLUSIVE: 'Catwoman' Jocelyn Wildenstein's ex-boyfriend claims she 'lied' about assault and theft as 'revenge' for break-up, adding she has blown her $2.5 billion divorce settlement on plastic surgery and HE supports HER

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The fashion designer ex-boyfriend of 'Catwoman' Jocelyn Wildenstein claims she has falsely accused him of assault as 'revenge' for ending their 14-year-romance after his arrest on Sunday.

Klein, who was also accused of stealing an iPhone, a Swiss ID, a cell phone case and a credit card, has told friends that the feline-faced socialite is virtually penniless and was financially reliant on him - despite her previously being handed one of the biggest divorce settlements in history - and that he was footing the bills.

The plastic-surgery fanatic was awarded $2.5 billion after her 1999 split from art dealer Alec Wildenstein but the money has 'gone with the wind', according to Klein's camp.

'The reality is that Lloyd has been carrying this woman for some time now,' a source alleged. 'She faces financial ruin and wants to destroy everything in her wake - including Lloyd.'

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Lloyd Klein, 49, left, the longtime boyfriend of 'catwoman' Jocelyn Wildenstein was arrested after the socialite claimed he assaulted her at their shared New York apartment. Klein's arrest comes just days after the couple's turbulent relationship hit headlines last Wednesday when Wildenstein (right) was arrested for attacking Klein

The 'bride of Wildenstein' was arrested last Wednesday for clawing Klein across the face and slashing him with scissors in a late night brawl at their $5 million Manhattan apartment.

He was forced to bundle Wildenstein into a walk-in closet to bring the attack to a halt before cops arrived and arrested her.

The catfight took a fresh turn Sunday morning when it was Klein's turn to be hauled off into custody for supposedly hurling 71-year-old Wildenstein to the ground when he returned for his possessions.

Klein, 49, who has designed clothes for A-list celebs including Nicki Minaj, Pink and Joan Collins, is also accused of stealing an iPhone, a Swiss ID, a cell phone case and a credit card.

But his supporters claim the accusations are nothing but a spiteful tit-for-tat bid to discredit him for walking out on the couple's turbulent relationship.

They also question whether Canadian-born Klein, who is in remission from cancer, was even physically capable of the attack.

Klein pictured bruised and bloodied after he was taken to NYU Langone hospital for treatment after last Wednesday's altercation

Wildenstein's attorney blamed Klein for exacerbating the situation by going back to the couple's apartment on Sunday

Jocelyn Wildenstein, in her mugshot was charged with assault, accused of slashing his face with a pair of scissors and gouging his face with her nails

'Lloyd has been a shell of himself since last Wednesday's assault,' said one. 'He was in quite a bit of pain; he hadn't slept for three days. He's still recovering from the lymphoma and is really frail.'

The warring couple are now banned from going within 1,000 yards of one another or speaking by phone, email or text as authorities weigh up their competing accusations.

Klein is said to have burst into Wildenstein's bedroom during 'round two' of their explosive conflict which erupted just after midnight Sunday.

According to Wildenstein's criminal complaint, he then pushed her to the ground, injuring her back and breaking her belt in the process.

DailyMail.com understands that Klein left the $5 million apartment and got into the elevator, with Wildenstein chasing after him into the lobby in a cocktail dress and bare feet.

Lloyd Klein is arraigned for assault against Jocelyn Wildenstein in Manhattan Criminal court

Klein is pictured on Sunday outside of court after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting Wildenstein

'He returned to a woman in a rage,' said a friend. 'She was absolutely unreachable. She was screaming about her keys being lost.

'She didn't talk about being beaten or marked in any way. There was no physical evidence of an altercation.'

Klein had left the glitzy high-rise by the time police arrived but agreed to go back to speak with detectives.

They finally took him into custody at 6am and he was arraigned Sunday night at Manhattan criminal court on charges of assault, robbery, grand larceny and criminal mischief.

Klein has told friends the 'stolen' card was actually a business credit card from his fashion company. He claims the phone was registered in his name and he paid the bill.

Alan Kachalsky, Wildenstein's attorney, blamed Klein for exacerbating the situation by going back to the couple's apartment.

'At this point I'm going to refrain from commenting until I speak with her in more detail,' he told DailyMail.com. 'You have the charges.

'Apparently he returned to the apartment to pick up certain items and some of those items didn't belong to him.

'He probably shouldn't have returned to the apartment unescorted. It is her apartment so once he's gone he should stay away.

'I can see how it can look like tit-for-tat but he was the one who filed the first charges and maybe he should have thought about that before going to war.

'Really that's all I can say at this point. I'm not prepared to speak on her finances as that is something that at this point goes beyond the criminal matter at hand.' 

Wildenstein, a mother-of-two, landed one of the largest divorce settlements in history in 1999 after splitting from her late husband, Alec.

She was awarded $2.5billion and an additional $100million a year for 13 years but Klein has told friends that the volatile divorcee has frittered away most of the money on surgeries and extravagance.

Meanwhile Klein, whose brother is the world-renowned artist Jean-Yves Klein, is said to have built a large fortune himself as a globally famous designer.

'Lloyd is depicted in the media as being tied to a wealthy woman or a toyboy but quite honestly he's very well-heeled,' added the friend.

'Jocelyn is out of money. She has no assets, no cash flow, the apartment is up for foreclosure. Her children have no relationship with her.

'Her world is collapsing around her and Lloyd is a victim of that collapse. Lloyd didn't want any of this to happen; her was in love with her and wanted the relationship to work. It was like he was suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.'

Claims that Wildenstein's finances are in turmoil appear to be corroborated by several pending lawsuits alleging that she has massive unpaid bills.

According to New York records, law firm Carter Ledyard & Milburn says she owes them $124,000 for legal work from 2014 to 2015.

The glamorous duo (pictured together in October 2015) have been dating since 2003 but the relationship is now over because Klein considers Wildenstein a 'ticking time bomb'

Klein was taken into custody just before 6am on Sunday at the ritzy Trump World Tower (file photo) apartment he shares with Wildenstein

Richard R. Brown Associates are also suing her for the remaining balance of $98,000 for architectural work done on her Manhattan apartment.

Wildenstein's temper is said to be as notorious as her feline looks, according to friends who say she has frequent violent outbursts.

A video obtained last week by DailyMail.com showed hitting Klein twice with a metal tray and screaming abuse at him while he begged her to calm down.

Last night Klein's rep Melanie A. Bonvicino insisted her client was innocent of all the charges and confirmed the relationship between him and Wildenstein was over.

'Mr. Klein is quite clear this evening that a chapter in his life has drawn to a close,' she told DailyMail.com.

'He bids Mrs. Wildenstein the best in all of her future endeavors and especially in her quest for inner peace.

'His profound sentiments for their 14-year union include his desire for her to be reunited with her son Alec and daughter Dianne in her twilight years.'