Bill Maher's ex-girlfriend insists he's used the N-word many times in the past

A former ex-girlfriend of Bill Maher insinuated that the "Real Time" host may have used the N-word around her many times.

Coco Johnsen, a black model who dated Maher for about a year and a half beginning in 2003, was asked by TMZ

if he freely used the N-word around her and she replied, "I've heard the word many times."

She would not confirm if Maher was the one who said it, but she didn't deny it either, insinuating it was likely dropped during their relationship.

"I just think that anyone who uses the N-word is insensitive... I'm sure that he's learned his lesson," she told TMZ.

"Maybe some sensitivity training at the NAACP could do some use," Johnsen continued.

The 51-year-old former Playboy Cyber Girl also called the use "condescending, sad and disappointing," adding that any educated person could find a better word to use in their vocabulary.

Maher quickly became the center of a controversy last week after he said, "Senator, I'm a house n----r," to Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse after the politician invited him to visit the state and work in the fields.

The HBO host later apologized and said he regretted his statement. The network has chosen to continue the series and keep him on board.

Ice Cube is scheduled to appear on "Real Time" this Friday and discuss Maher's use of the N-word. Sen. Al Franken decided to back out of his scheduled appearance after the host's use of the racial slur.