Rosie O'Donnell can't catch a break these days. It seems like the TV personality has faced one hardship after the next. Now, the former The View co-host is facing a lawsuit and is being sued by her former producer of the show for defamation.
Rosie O'Donnell has been in and out of the court house as of recently due to a vicious custody battle between she and ex-wife Michelle Rounds to gain full custody of daughter Dakota. Now, she will be back in court after being sued by Jennifer Shepard-Brookman, a former producer of The View who claims O'Donnell made false accusations against her, according to Variety.
As reported by the site, Shepard-Brookman is alleging that O'Donnell "falsely accused her of betraying professional and personal confidences and leaking information to the media." The former producer believes that these allegations tarnished her professional image and ultimately led to her termination from the show.
Shepard-Brookman is arguing that not only are the accuastions against her false but, O'Donnell only made the accusations due to her own personal ill-will toward her.
According to Variety, O'Donnell and Shepard-Brookman have been at odds since the former co-host lost the opportunity to cover top news stories to additional co-host, Whoopi Goldberg, at the hands of the former producer. Details of the lawsuit specify that "after returning to the show..., [O'Donnell] attempted to assert control of the show and clashed with Whoopi Goldberg, and sought to take coverage of news stories away from her." Further details address how O'Donnell allegedly "...grabbed Brookman's chair, leaned in close to her face and prohibited her from leaving, while continuing to aggressively and loudly berate her for giving the coverage of the story to Ms. Goldberg."
O'Donnell's attorney claims the allegations against her client are "baseless" and they are awaiting their day in court to provide a proper defense.
Deadline notes that O'Donnell departed from the show in February, only a short time after Shepard-Brookman was terminated and many believe the departure stemmed from the feud. Despite the legal battle between the two, Shepard-Brookman is still receiving support and admiration from the remaining staff of The View. She recently tweeted a photo of she and some of the staff at a Lew Body Disease Association event for her father where mostly everyone showed their support. O'Donnell, did not attend.
Thx to my view family for supporting me last night. @SherriEShepherd you are truly the best. @LBDAssoc pic.twitter.com/0xeKtgADKI
— Jennifer Brookman (@jenshep26) July 11, 2015
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