More legal drama for Real Housewives of Orange County star Gretchen Rossi as she is now being sued by her former business partner & make-up artist RonAnn Meyers.
The DBKP blog reports both Gretchen and boyfriend/rumored fiance Slade Smiley are being sued by RonAnn to the tune of over $100,000 in damages. The reason? RonAnn is accusing the twosome of defrauding her and cutting her out of the Gretchen Christine Beaute makeup line.
In the 37-page lawsuit filed on April 13, 2011, RonAnn accuses Gretchen, 33, and Slade, 42, of ‘breach of oral contract’, ‘fraud/deceit’, ‘fraudulent conspiracy’ amongst other wrong doings.
RonAnn, who appeared on season five of the OC Housewives as Gretchen’s makeup artist and business partner, reveals she had been both Gretchen’s friend and personal makeup artist for seven years.
According to RonAnn, she came up with the idea of starting a makeup line in February 2009 and Gretchen “expressed an immediate interest” in becoming her business partner. Both ladies agreed to a partnership that was a 50/50 deal in ownership, control, and profits.
If you recall, it came out last year that Gretchen Christine Beaute was simply the resale of wholesale makeup ordered from Lady Burd, a private label manufacturer. RonAnn also claims she was the one who had a long established relationship with Lady Burd.
Ultimately, RonAnn alleges Gretchen and Slade cut her out of the loop, and negotiated a deal with Lady Burd Cosmetic’s New York office. Gretchen and Slade also allegedly omitted RonAnn’s name from certain business filings and financial documents. RonAnn states in the lawsuit that she and Gretchen each deposited $5,000 into a joint business account but at a later date, Gretchen cleared out the remaining $2100 in the account without informing her.
We reported back in March of 2010 about the drama involving Gretchen Christine Beaute after it was first discovered the makeup was simply relabeled wholesale makeup from Lady Burd, and that Slade’s name was on the company’s paypal account being used for website sales. Not only was Gretchen reselling wholesale make-up but she neglected to change the names of the shades, using the same exact photos and names for her eyeshadow collection.
And on tonight’s all new episode of the OC Housewives titled “Riches to Rags,” Vicki visits Tamra at her new house to gossip about the rumors surrounding the Bellino’s possible home foreclosure. Gretchen is upset that all the men in her life are fat, both the dogs and Slade. Vicki and Donn try to spend some quality time together by going to the spa, but things get uncomfortable when the conversation turns awkward at dinner.
The episode airs at 10/9c. A preview clip is below.
Watch What Happens Live – The guests tonight will be Tamra Barney and beau Eddie Judge.
TELL US – THOUGHTS ON THE LAWSUIT AGAINST GRETCHEN & TONIGHT’S NEW EPISODE?
