Andy Cohen (left) and Leah McSweeney.Photo:Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty (2)
Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty (2)
Andy Cohenis responding toReal Housewives of New York CityalumLeah McSweeney’s allegations of discrimination and substance misuse.
Andy Cohen on “Watch What Happens Live”.Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty
Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty
“If you refuse to do so, Mr. Cohen reserves the right to hold you and your client accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” the letter states. “To be clear: these allegations are categorically false. Mr. Cohen never used cocaine with any cast member on any Real Housewives show or with any other Bravo employee.”
The letter alleges that McSweeney and her attorney created “a media frenzy” in order to “force a settlement” between the reality star and Cohen.
Leah McSweeney and Andy Cohen.Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
In response to the letter, McSweeney’s lawyer, Sarah M. Matz, of Adelman Matz P.C., issued a statement to PEOPLE, saying, “That Andy Cohen had his counsel and PR agents write a threatening letter to give to the press is hardly surprising.”
“Mr. Cohen is accustomed to using his power in the media to scare and intimidate people like Ms. McSweeney so that they will not speak out,” the statement continued. “Mr. Cohen’s attempt to discredit and intimidate Ms. McSweeney to deter her from engaging in legally protected activity in Court is exactly the type of retaliation that this lawsuit was brought to address and only is further evidence for Ms. McSweeney.”
“We do not intend to litigate this matter in the press, and if Mr. Cohen wants to address Ms. McSweeney’s claims, we suggest he do so in Court, not in a letter for the press.”
Lawyers for Cohen and McSweeney did not return PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Leah McSweeney and Andy Cohen.John Nacion/WireImage; Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty
John Nacion/WireImage; Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty
A representative for Cohen previouslydenied the allegationsin a statement to PEOPLE, saying, “The claims against Andy are completely false.”
In addition to Cohen and Bravo Media, the suit also names NBC Universal Media, Warner Bros. Discovery, production company Shed Media US and producers John Paparazzo, Lisa Shannon and Darren Ward.
McSweeney — who joinedRHONYin 2019 for two seasons and appeared on season 3 ofThe Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip— alleges in the filing that the defendants failed to maintain a safe working environment and accommodate her disabilities, including “alcohol use disorder” and “mental health disorders.” Reps for Cohen, Bravo, Shed and Warner Bros did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s initial request for comment on McSweeney’s allegations.
Andy Cohen, Dolores Catania and Leah McSweeney on “Watch What Happens Live”.Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
McSweeney also accused Cohen of engaging in “cocaine use with Housewives and other ‘Bravolebrities’ that he employs” and providing “favorable treatment and edits” to those he allegedly used the substance with.
According toThe Hollywood Reporter, a source denied the allegation that Cohen “does cocaine with any Housewives,” calling it “outrageous.”
The outlet also reported that a source close to the franchise’s production alleged that McSweeney was in talks about being cast onRHONY: Legacybut ultimately was not chosen for the ensemble, given her short tenure on the series. The production source toldTHR, “If she was cast inLegacylike she wanted, this wouldn’t be happening.”
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“I’ve been trying to address this internationally for years now but have been dismissed, stone-walled, and gaslit (but actually) at every turn since. Bravo can try to manipulate my reality and others’ all they want, but the cold hard facts of this case are as real as it gets,” she continued.
source: people.com
