'Real Housewives of New Jersey' Jacqueline Laurita Sued for $7.8M
Another day, another Real Housewives-related lawsuit. Maybe the network should consider retaining an attorney to tend to their reality TV stars' legal woes. Next up to face a lawsuit is Real Housewives of New Jersey star Jacqueline Laurita.
Laurita and her husband are being sued for $7.8 million.
The suit alleges that the couple misused company funds from the clothing line, Signature Apparel. Signature Apparel was founded by Laurita's husband and her brother-in-law.
Where did the funds go? To support some extravagant lifestyles, it seems.
The suit alleges that they spent money on private jets, limousines, parties, cars, designer clothing, and other luxuries including vacations.
The lawsuit went on to specify exactly what kind of payments were made:
- $331,637 for payments on 11 cars, including a Bentley and a Maserati.
- $2 million in credit card payments for the Laurita family.
- $284,793 in travel expenses.
- $145,894 for private airplane rentals.
The company raked in $250 million from 2005 to 2009. It folded in August of 2010.
The lawsuit specifically states that Laurita knew of the illegal activity. But she has denied this, filing a response that she does not have enough knowledge to answer to the complaint according to BuddyTV.
Since Laurita is a reality TV star, maybe her husband felt that she needed to maintain a certain lifestyle. Would viewers still tune in if the Real Housewives actually featured, well, "real" housewives that drove kids to soccer games and struggled with paying bills on a middle-class income?
Probably not.
Let's be real: Viewers tune in for slap-worthy catfights and a glimpse into the lives of the privileged.
If the lawsuit is successful, however, Jacqueline Laurita's family may face some fiscal troubles. Looks like fellow financially-strapped Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice will soon have company.
Related Resources:
- 'Housewives' star named in lawsuit (Miami Herald)
- Real Housewives' Sonja Morgan Must Pay $7M, Court Rules (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
- 'Real Housewives' Attack: Teresa Giudice Sued by Chicago Cop (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)