Andy Cohen Threatens Defamatory Lawsuit Against Leah McSweeney

Leah McSweeney’s Lawsuit Against Andy Cohen Set To Be The First Bravo Case Argued In Court

Home / News / Leah McSweeney’s Lawsuit Against Andy Cohen Set To Be The First Bravo Case Argued In Court

By Afouda Bamidele on October 4, 2024 at 10:30 AM EDT

Leah McSweeney isn't the first housewife to file a lawsuit against Bravo, but she may be the only one to make it to court.

The former "Real Housewives of New York City" star fought adamantly for her day in court and has been granted the opportunity to plead her case before a judge. Meanwhile, Andy Cohen and Bravo will defend their motion for dismissal.

Leah McSweeney sued Andy Cohen, Bravo, and the other producers of the Housewife series, accusing them of abusing her alcohol addiction to get high ratings for the show and also created a toxic work environment.

Article continues below advertisement

Leah McSweeney To Argue Against The Dismissal Of Her Lawsuit

Leah McSweeney works out at a boxing gym
MEGA

According to new reports, McSweeney's lawsuit has received a hearing date for oral arguments at a Downtown New York courthouse. An insider claimed Judge Lewis J. Liman would hear from both parties on Cohen and Bravo's petition to dismiss the lawsuit.

The hearing scheduled for October 30 marked an unprecedented event in the housewife scene, as it is reportedly the first time a cast member or a former star has argued their lawsuit against Bravo in court.

"Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Nene Leakes previously sued the network, but her case did not make it to court. Similarly, "Real Housewives of New Jersey" castmate Caroline Manzo has a pending legal case.

Article continues below advertisement

McSweeney's hearing date comes a month after the judge granted her attorney the green light to search for evidence. Page Six noted the legal rep could dig for proof in the defendants' private files and devices while the court addressed the motion for dismissal.

Article continues below advertisement

Inside McSweeney's Scathing Allegations Against The Defendants

Leah McSweeney works out at a boxing gym
MEGA

The former Bravolebrity claimed the "Real Housewives" franchise earned its best views whenever one of the castmates appeared confused, irrational, or losing touch with reality.

McSweeney argued that producers — who were aware that she was battling alcohol addiction and had a history of severe mental health problems — used her as a tool to boost ratings by ensuring she fell off the rails.

She claimed they succeeded in their first attempt to make her drink; however, she refused to cave the second time they allegedly tried to manipulate her. McSweeney's allegations continued with comments about Cohen.

Article continues below advertisement

According to the TV personality, the "Watch What Happens Live!" host allegedly did cocaine with some of the Housewives. However, Cohen, Bravo, and the other defendants have denied her claims and pushed to have them thrown out of court.

Article continues below advertisement

Cohen Threatened To File A Defamation Lawsuit

Andy Cohen is seen at "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in Los Angeles, California.
MEGA

Earlier this year, The Blast reported that Cohen threatened to file a defamation lawsuit against McSweeney over her allegations. His lawyers explicitly focused on the cocaine claims, warning the former "RHONY" star to retract her statements.

"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 legal reps stressed in a letter, adding:

"The absence of any reasonable basis to make such allegations is confirmed by your pleading itself."

Cohen's team highlighted the need for more specifics in the cocaine accusation. They implied that McSweeney could not do so because her claims lacked substantive knowledge and were baseless.

The Bravo Executive Demanded A Public Apology

Andy Cohen at the New York City Ballet 2022 Fall Fashion Gala
MEGA

According to Cohen's legal reps, McSweeney's cocaine allegations were a ploy to garner media attention and, possibly, a swift financial settlement. They doubled down on her claims being false, writing:

"The truth matters. Litigation cannot be used to create fake news. And it cannot be used as a vehicle to spread false and malicious lies in furtherance of a shakedown."

The letter from Cohen's lawyers continued, "We demand that you issue an immediate public retraction and apologize to Mr. Cohen. Every day you fail to do so only increases the damages suffered by Mr. Cohen."

Article continues below advertisement

McSweeney Was Reportedly Shocked By The Legal Letter

Leah McSweeney at the 2022 Harper's Bazaar ICONS
MEGA

Following Cohen's response to her allegations, a source close to McSweeney claimed she was astonished by his insistence on publicizing their case. The latter believed their differences should be settled in court and not through a public spat.

However, an insider from Cohen's camp slammed her reaction, stressing: "Of course, Andy should defend himself in the public with the truth. Why should she be allowed to spew lies about his character?"

Leah McSweeney filed her scathing lawsuit against Andy Cohen, Bravo, and the "Real Housewives" producers in February. Will she be able to score a green light for the case to proceed, or will it be dismissed?

Advertisement