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Exclusive: Pauley Perrette claims she left 'NCIS' to focus on charity work even as she hints at physical abuse on sets

The 49-year-old actress who played Abby Sciuto on the crime show has alluded to physical abuse and bullying on the sets via tweets.

It has been a while since the 'NCIS' fans learned that one of the show's favorites, Pauley Perrette, is leaving the show after fifteen seasons. While she has more or less remained mum regarding why she left the show, her recent tweets seem to reveal the toxic work environment is probably what led her to quit.  

In a statement, the actress' PR told Meaww that following the conclusion of her role in the show, Pauley has "decided to take a well-earned rest from publicity activities." It further revealed, "She remains active with her charity work and will certainly be seen in new projects in the future." 

The story arch of her character Abby Sciuto is going to end when she travels to London along with the body of Clayton Reeves (played by Duane Henry), who died protecting her. Post the funeral, Abby is expected to stay on across the pond. This ending seems hurried at best.  

Moreover, as calm and positive as this statement sounds, Pauley's latest tweets has us speculating about the true nature of her departure from the crime show abruptly in October last year. While these cryptic tweets were vague and did not specifically point at NCIS or its broadcast network, CBS, she did say that she "refused to go low, that’s why I’ve never told publicly what happened." 

Pauley further clarified, "Maybe I’m wrong for not “spilling the beans” Telling the story, THE TRUTH. I feel I have to protect my crew, jobs and so many people. But at what cost? I don’t know. Just know, I’m trying to do the right thing, but maybe silence isn’t the right thing about crime. I’m… Just… ?" As she further points out the irony of her situation: "I’ve been supporting anti-bullying programs forever. But now I KNOW because it was ME! If it’s school or work, that you’re required to go to?"