Sofia Vergara Accuses Ex-Fiancé Of Lying Under Oath in Embryo Court Battle
By Ryan Naumann on August 28, 2019 at 11:07 AM EDT
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“Modern Family” star Sofia Vergara is accusing her ex-fiancé Nick Loeb of lying under oath in his attempt to bring their frozen embryos to term.
According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Vergara is demanding Loeb and his lawyer, Jalesia “Jasha” McQueen, be sanctioned in their never-ending court battle.
The actress believes her ex and his attorney “intentionally withheld” documents and evidence. She also believes Loeb made a false statement under oath and his lawyer “knew the statements to be false.”
Gettyimages | Christopher Polk
Vergara and Loeb have been battling in court for years over frozen embryos. Loeb has filed numerous lawsuits against the “Modern Family” star (and she filed one herself), all of which are seeking to bring the embryos to life.
Loeb and Vergara dated for several years but split in 2014. Vergara has refused to give him consent over the embryos and the two have been battling ever since.
Gettyimages | Jason Merritt/TERM
One of the lawsuits Loeb filed was in Louisiana, where he claimed to have recently moved. Vergara has tried to get the case dismissed, saying Loeb has no real ties to the state. She even hired a private investigator at one point.
The issue is of importance because in Louisiana, embryos are considered "biological human beings” — as opposed to California, which views them as product and not human beings.
Gettyimages | Kevin Mazur/VF14
In newly filed documents, Vergara claims Loeb and his attorney withheld email correspondence that “reveals the systematic orchestration in which Mr. Loeb and his counsel – most notably, Ms. McQueen – have engaged in an effort to perpetrate the fraud upon this Court that Mr. Loeb to, and is domiciled in, Plaquemines Parish.”
Vergara also believe Loeb altered documents he turned over to her in the battle. She is asking the judge to sanction Loeb and pay her attorney fees.
The case is ongoing.
Loeb at one point even wrote an op-ed in the NY Times saying, "When we create embryos for the purpose of life, should we not define them as life, rather than as property? Does one person’s desire to avoid biological parenthood (free of any legal obligations) outweigh another’s religious beliefs in the sanctity of life and desire to be a parent? A woman is entitled to bring a pregnancy to term even if the man objects. Shouldn’t a man who is willing to take on all parental responsibilities be similarly entitled to bring his embryos to term even if the woman objects? These are issues that, unlike abortion, have nothing to do with the rights over one’s own body, and everything to do with a parent’s right to protect the life of his or her unborn child."
Gettyimages | Dia Dipasupil
Loeb and Vergara dated for several years but split in 2014. Vergara has refused to give him consent over the embryos and the two have been battling ever since.
Following their split, Vergara went on to marry Joe Manganiello.
