Real Housewives of New Jersey star Albert Manzo, who’s married to former castmember Caroline Manzo, has been accused of verbally abusing his staff and failing to pay overtime.In a complaint filed with the Superior Court of New Jersey in Passaic County dated Dec. 2, a former waitress at the catering hall, The Brownstone, accused Albert, co-owner Tommy Manzo and manager Robert Manger, among other unnamed persons, of verbal abuse and failure to pay overtime.
In the complaint, Lanise Jackson said she left her job in November because “she could no longer endure the racial, sexual, ethnic and country of origin epithets hurled at her hourly.”
She alleged that she and other employees were routinely called “bitch,”“fucking stupid bitch,”“spic bitches,”“lazy motherfuckers,” and “fucking screw up.”
She also claimed that Tommy had said to her, “Are you blind? What are you, Chinese? Open your eyes.”
Additionally, she alleged that she worked more than 40 hours a week at The Brownstone, but didn’t receive compensation for overtime.
Jackson is suing for damages, “including but not limited to, compensatory and punitive damages, lost wages, emotional distress, legal fees, etc.”
In May 2011, another former employee, Sandy Fernandez, sued The Brownstone, Albert and Tommy for similar charges of unpaid compensation for overtime.
Reached at The Brownstone, Albert Manzo said he was “appalled” by Jackson’s claims and said her lawsuit came “out of the blue.”
“I’ve never spoken to any employee in that manner,” he said. “This is the most insane thing I’ve ever dealt with. Now I got The Daily News calling me about this, I’m seriously thinking about launching a countersuit. She is defaming me.”
“It’s almost like she has nothing better to do,” he said. “I can’t wait for this to go to court. She’ll be perjuring herself.”
Joanna and Brandi are once again at each other’s throats, this time with Joanna claiming that Brandi has a problem with alcohol. Really, Joanna? At this stage, I would expect both Joanna and Brandi to be going for deeper cuts, not alcohol problems. Everyone on that show has alcohol problems, and I hardly think that would surprise anyone.
Anyway, Brandi did apologize for making what some people deemed to be racist comments, and apparently people thought the feud would blow over. Alas, that’s now reality star feuds work, especially with the Real Housewives.
Joanna’s now hitting back against Brandi for making the aforementioned racist remarks, telling people, “I don’t know what her little brain thinks. I get it, it’s reality TV and it’s about ratings and maybe she feels that it’s her job, but she should learn the difference between being dramatic on TV and how to be sensitive.”
Joanna even added, “I just think she has an alcohol issue. When she says stupid things it tends to be after she’s had a drink. I don’t know if it’s for attention, but it fuels her to put people down. She really needs to understand that it’s only hurting her in the end. She’s not thinking.”
And now she plays the friend card. Isn’t that fitting? After insulting Brandi using various allegations and accusations, she’s now just trying to help Brandi.
Wish NeNe a Happy Birthday! NeNe Leakes turns 46 on Friday, Dec. 13, and is asking her fans to help make her day even more special. The Real Housewives of Atlanta star had an Open Me Birthday card set up online in her honor for all of her supporters to sign.
"Hey y'all!! I'm having a great birthday, especially since I have all of you guys sending me birthday wishes and blessings!" she wrote on her website Friday. "It's all a lot to keep track of though, so my friends made me a special birthday card that all of you can sign! I would love to hear from you and see all your names, so click here to send me a special message!"
The front of the card has a beautiful picture of the birthday girl on it with the message: "Yes, honey. Birthdays are for rich bitches!" Inside, fans can write personal messages for Leakes to read.
First thing Friday morning, Leakes tweeted, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY 2 ME, HAPPY BIRTHDAY 2 ME, HAPPY BIRTHDAY 2 MEEEEE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY 2 MEEEEE."
The star has a lot to celebrate this year after suffering a health scare last month. Leakes was hospitalized after being diagnosed with blood clots in her lungs. "I'm told this happened to me because of the constant traveling around the country that I do for my job," she explained in a Nov. 19 blog post. "I'm thankful to be alive as the doctor advised me that most people don't recognize the symptoms of blood clots and don't go to the doctor and that's when the big problems start happening."
Usually, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards is seen shopping at fabulous boutiques or going on glamorous vacations. But in a new ad for Jeep Cherokee it's just Kyle and her husband, Mauricio Umansky, hitting the road.
The reality couple are among a group of celebs chosen to appear in a series of videos made by Cherokee. Modern Family's Sarah Hyland and TV host Terrence J also appear in spots for the brand.
"I think people have this image of me walking down Rodeo Drive, like, with poodles, eating bonbons, and that is not accurate at all!" 44-year-old Kyle says at the beginning of the clip, which made its debut during this week's episode of Housewives. "My life is much more complex than that."
The mom of four then picks up hubby Mauricio, who's wearing a simple T-shirt and jeans, and the two drive to Joshua Tree National Park, about two hours outside of LA.
InTouch, US, CelebDirtyLaundry, TheWrap