TV Legal: RHONY Leah McSweeney sues Andy Cohen, Bravo for discrimination and 'rotted' workplace culture #metoo

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Leah McSweeney sues Andy Cohen, Bravo for discrimination, 'rotted' work culture

Former 'Real Housewives of New York City' star Leah McSweeney sues Andy Cohen and Bravo for discrimination and a 'rotted' workplace culture.

ew.com

RHONY's Leah McSweeney sues Andy Cohen, Bravo for discrimination and 'rotted' workplace culture​

The former Bravolebrity claims pressure to consume alcohol, as well as Cohen's alleged "proclivity" for cocaine usage.
By
Jessica Wang

Published on February 28, 2024

Former Bravolebrity Leah McSweeney has filed a civil lawsuit against employers Andy Cohen and Bravo that allege a "rotted" workplace culture during her time on The Real Housewives of New York City.

In the complaint filed Tuesday in New York (via PEOPLE), McSweeney alleges that Cohen and Bravo — as well as parent companies NBC, production company Shed Media and producers John Paparazzo, Lisa Shannon, and Darren Ward — discriminated, harassed, and retaliated against her as a "woman with disabilities, such as alcohol use disorder and various mental health disorders, all in the name of selling drama.”

McSweeney, who appeared in season 12 and 13 of the series as well as season 3 of Ultimate Girls Trip, claims in the complaint that there was a "rotted" workplace culture that pressured employees to consume alcohol and that she was retaliated against when she tried to stay sober. The complaint alleges producers "intentionally" orchestrated scenarios "intended to exacerbate" McSweeney's "disabilities" in order to "create morbidly salacious reality television."

Andy Cohen; Leah McSweeney.
ADRIAN EDWARDS/GC IMAGES; DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/GETTY IMAGES
The reality TV star also alleges Cohen has a "proclivity" for cocaine usage with "Housewives and other Bravolebrities that he employs," claiming that the presenter "tends to provide the Housewives with whom he uses cocaine with more favorable treatment and edits,"

In response to the complaint, a rep for Cohen told EW the claims against him are "completely false." Bravo and Shed Media didn't immediately respond to EW's requests for comment.

"This is not a story I ever thought I would be telling," McSweeney said in an Instagram statement shared after the suit was filed. "In fact, I was petrified to speak on it and was warned not to." Writing that she is "taking back my reality," McSweeney called the "reckless and diabolical way in which the people at the top drool over the mishaps and misfortunes of women" "disturbing." She added, "I have love and respect for many of the Bravo talent and getting to know them was a positive experience in all of this."



Though she may become a "pariah" due to the suit, "I do hope my lawsuit helps realty TV align with its true purpose: to authentically depict the complexities of life while offering genuine support to those who share their journeys."

Former Housewife Caroline Manz also recently filed a lawsuit against Bravo and its affiliated companies last month over an alleged sexual misconduct incident involving Brandi Glanville, (who was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit and denies any wrongdoing), while Glanville and her legal team accused Cohen of sexual harassment and called for his firing just last week.

 

[playahaitian]

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[Non-StopJFK2TAB]

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Yeah, read Frederick Douglass. During the Yuletide, slaves would be encouraged to drink.

 

[LordSinister]

Yeah, read Frederick Douglass. During the Yuletide, slaves would be encouraged to drink.

But did slaves get paid?

 

[Non-StopJFK2TAB]

But did slaves get paid?

Shorty ain’t getting a cent.

 

[playahaitian]

Leah McSweeney’s lawyers question Bravo investigation clearing Andy Cohen

The former reality star says Bravo is using its findings as a convenient party line timed to the upfronts, when networks woo potential advertisers.

pagesix.com

Leah McSweeney’s lawyers question Bravo investigation clearing Andy Cohen​

By
Mara Siegler and


Published May 10, 2024, 7:03 p.m. ET
Leah McSweeney’s lawyers are not happy with Bravo’s investigation into Andy Cohen.Getty Images
After Bravo boss Andy Cohen was cleared by the network for allegations including promoting drug use — former reality star Leah McSweeney’s lawyers are calling into question the legitimacy of the probe and saying they were never contacted by investigators.
They further claim Bravo is just using Cohen’s being cleared as a convenient party line timed to its upfront presentations for advertisers, when networks promote their buzziest titles.
Bravo stated this week that, “The outside investigation into the recent allegations made by Brandi Glanville and Leah McSweeney against Andy Cohen has now been completed, and the claims were found to be unsubstantiated.”
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McSweeney’s lawyers say they were never contacted during the investigation.leahmob/Instagram
McSweeney’s lawyers aren’t buying it.




“How do you have an investigation without speaking with to anyone? As far as we know no one ever contacted our firm,” her lawyer Gary Adelman said in a statement. “Our opinion is that no one is going to believe this was a real investigation.”

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“This is perfect timing,” the attorney said. “One line so they can repeat it to all the advertisers at the upfronts.”
He added, “We look forward to reviewing all of the interviews, evidence and final reports of the investigation that NBCU conducted, when we receive them during the Discovery phase of the lawsuit.”
Former Bravo star McSweeney, who is sober, filed suit in February claiming Cohen, “rewards [‘Real Housewives’ stars] with whom he uses cocaine with more favorable treatment and edits.”
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Bravo has said it has cleared Cohen of allegations made by McSweeney and Brandi Glanville.Getty Images
She also alleged that Cohen created a “workplace culture that thrives off drug and alcohol abuse, which leads to a failure to accommodate employees who are disabled and attempting to remain substance free.”
Cohen adamantly denied the claims, and his lawyers demanded an apology.
Fellow former “Housewives” star Brandi Glanville’s lawyers also sent a letter to NBCUniversal, Shed Media and Shed’s parent company Warner Bros. Discovery in March, alleging Cohen sent her a sexually inappropriate video.
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Brandi Glanville has also made allegations against Cohen.Getty Images
Cohen, who is gay, apologized and said it was a joke.
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What do you think? Post a comment.
Cohen has called McSweeney’s claims “hurtful,” and added, “I know what the truth is and I know how I’ve conducted myself, and I walk tall every day on that.”
Bravo did not get back to us.

 

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Andy Cohen Files to Dismiss ‘Real Housewives’ Star Leah McSweeney’s Lawsuit

In response, McSweeney's attorney stated that the motion has no merit and "mostly argues for dismissal on technical grounds."

www.hollywoodreporter.com