Highlights
- Leah McSweeney felt
Real Housewives
put her at risk, filed lawsuit against Andy Cohen and Bravo for discrimination and a hostile work environment. - Andy Cohen denies allegations, files motion to dismiss case, now requests judge pause lawsuit until a decision is made on dismissal.
- Cohen argues in a letter that a pause is in everyone’s best interest, claims Leah won’t be harmed by a delay.
Leah McSweeney didn’t have a good experience on Real Housewives of New York City, even if she did, by her own admission, form very special friendships. However, she felt the work environment was putting employees, including herself, at risk, and that Andy Cohen was a crucial part of it, so earlier this year, she filed a lawsuit against him and Bravo.
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Andy denied any accusations and quickly filed a motion to dismiss her claims. Now, months later, he’s requesting the judge pause the lawsuit until it is decided if it will be dismissed.
Andy Cohen Asked To Pause The Leah McSweeney Lawsuit
Leah McSweeney sued Andy Cohen earlier this year, claiming she suffered discrimination and that the host created a “hostile work environment” during her time on the Real Housewives franchise. Andy has denied these allegations and filed a motion in May to dismiss the case.
Now, he’s asking the judge to put a stop to the lawsuit temporarily.
In a letter obtained by PEOPLE, the Watch What Happens Live host claimed that Leah’s complaints are “exceedingly lengthy, complex and far-reaching” and therefore “any discovery sought will be broad and require extensive responses,” so it would be in everyone’s best interest to pause the lawsuit until a decision is reached regarding his motion for dismissal.
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Andy’s letter argued that a pause wouldn’t harm Leah because she “only seeks money damages” and “would not be prejudiced by a stay.” He also claimed that both “parties and non-parties would be required to devote substantial time and resources to discovery, despite the likelihood that Plaintiff’s claims would be dismissed.”
Lastly, Andy reiterated that a temporary pause would “further the interests of efficiency and conservation of judicial resources,” and seems to be convinced that Leah’s lawsuit will eventually be dismissed.
Leah McSweeney’s Accusations Against Andy Cohen
Back in February, Leah McSweeney filed a lawsuit against Andy Cohen and Bravo Media, claiming that they had created a “rotted” workplace culture that put employees in danger.
That same day she filed, she made an emotional Instagram post, talking to her fans directly.
“This is not a story I ever thought I would be telling; in fact, I was petrified to speak on it and was warned not to,” she started her statement. “Today my attorneys filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court of The Southern District of New York against my former employers.”
“Your favorite Bravo shows are run by people who create a dangerous work environment, encourage substance abuse to artificially create drama and cynically prey on the vulnerabilities of their employees.”
Leah went on to explain how her sobriety was jeopardized as the network pressured her to drink alcohol. She has always been very open about her struggles with addiction, and this lawsuit is very close to her heart. She doesn’t want anyone else to go through what she did and is not afraid to burn bridges if that’s what it takes.
“I have love and respect for many of the Bravo talent and getting to know them was a positive experience in all of this. I may be a pariah to them after this, but I do hope my lawsuit helps reality TV to align with its true purpose: to authentically depict the complexities of life while offering genuine support to those who share their stories.”