Explosive $250M Lawsuit Claims Wendy Williams Was Abused And Silenced

Wendy Williams’ ex-husband, Kevin Hunter, has filed a bombshell $250 million federal lawsuit on her behalf, alleging that the star was abused, overmedicated, silenced, and financially exploited during her court-ordered guardianship.

The filing names over 40 defendants and accuses them of using the guardianship to control her life and isolate her from family.

Hunter argues the guardianship is “a weapon, not a shield,” and demands sweeping relief for Williams’ freedom, finances, and dignity.

On Tuesday, Hunter filed a lawsuit in New York, claiming that the guardianship imposed on Williams served personal agendas instead of providing protection.

“Guardianship is a civil death. In New York, more than 28,000 adults, which includes [Williams], are being abused, neglected, and defrauded under the care of court-appointed guardians,” the court documents read per PEOPLE.

Hunter noted that his ex-wife was never properly evaluated and wrongfully confined at a Manhattan care facility.

“Currently, Ms. Hunter is being confined against her will at one of Coterie’s assisted living facilities with restricted access to her own phone and meaningful contact with her friends and family,” the papers read.

According to the lawsuit, the decisions about Williams’ care, finances, and communications were made by opportunistic individuals, not in her best interests.

He called it “coordinated and coercive,” accusing defendants of stripping Williams of basic rights.

The court documents named 48 defendants, including Williams’ legal guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, the judge presiding over the guardianship, Lisa Sokoloff, Wells Fargo, financial advisors, lawyers, facility staff, and even the doctor who diagnosed her incapacitation.

In addition, the TV producer highlighted 22 separate counts ranging from ADA violations, breach of fiduciary duty, unlawful isolation, defamation, to negligence.

Hunter also alleged that the guardian sold Williams’ two rescue cats without consent, depriving her of vital emotional support.

Further information from the filings revealed that Williams suffered an estimated $20 million in annual lost earnings tied to projects like her talk show.

According to Hunter, the 60-year-old’s $80 million estate, including a $4 million condo and personal belongings over $10 million, was reportedly at risk due to mismanagement.

Beyond finances, Hunter claimed Williams’ reputation and emotional welfare suffered lasting harm from “overmedication and undue restrictions” without her clear consent.

He also accused the care specialist of taking photos of the icon “in a state of undress without consent, disclosed [Williams’] location to third parties, and sold or attempted to sell the images and information to media outlets.”

Irrespective of all the allegations made in the filing, Hunter is not seeking to end Williams’ guardianship.

According to the lawsuit, Hunter is requesting the appointment of a “new impartial guardian,” Williams’ release from “involuntary confinement,” unsealing of court records, and a complete forensic financial audit.

Additionally, he is seeking $250 million in relief for losses, distress, and legal costs. Hunter is further asking to be appointed as Williams’ “next friend.”

Per the complaint, the next friend is a party who can legally act “on behalf of an individual unable to assert their own rights and when no guardian is acting in their best interests.”

Meanwhile, Morrissey, Wells Fargo, and others have not publicly commented on the matter.

However, LaShawn Thomas, the lawyer who filed the lawsuit, has stated that there will be sufficient evidence to support the claims.

“Williams is not legally aware of all of the evidence that supports our claims that she should not be forced to suffer from this guardianship. I plan on laying out sufficient evidence to support our claims and ensure that her rights are vindicated and she is made whole financially," he said in a statement.

In 2022, Wendy Williams agreed to be placed under a court-ordered guardianship after Wells Fargo raised concerns about her mental health and suspected financial exploitation.

The bank froze her accounts, citing fears she was being unduly influenced, which led to a New York judge appointing a temporary financial guardian.

Eventually, the guardianship expanded to include decisions about her personal life, with attorney Morrissey named as her permanent guardian.

Sadly, Williams regretted the decision as her healthcare advocate, Ginalisa Monterroso, told PEOPLE that the former broadcaster didn’t know her rights would be taken from her, including having no access to a cellphone.

“She kind of felt like, 'Hey, I have the court. They're going to sign me a money person. I'm going to be good.' In no way did she think that our whole life was going to be taken away from her,” she said.