Putting business first. Ariana Madix dumped long-time boyfriend Tom Sandoval after discovering intimate videos of Raquel Leviss on his phone. The sexually-explicit videos of the Vanderpump Rules star led to #Scandoval and the demise of their nine-year relationship.
Just a week after the news broke, that video is coming up in a completely different conversation. According to Entertainment Tonight, Raquel’s legal team has addressed the issue of her privacy rights. The concern is the distribution of the NSFW material. Apparently, Raquel is also alleging that Tom recorded her without her consent.
“Raquel did send legal letters to several members of her cast. There were a couple of variations of the letter depending on their involvement,” a source stated.
The insider added, “Raquel did send a letter off to Tom Sandoval as well, letting him know not to show the video or distribute it, as well as to delete it. Raquel is hoping this letter will stop anyone from sharing or posting the video.”
“We understand that sometime recently you and Ms. Leviss engaged in an intimate exchange on Facetime, which you recorded without the permission of Ms. Leviss. California is what is called a ‘two party consent’ state, and accordingly, such recording is illegal in California and can potentially expose you to both civil and criminal penalties,” Raquel’s lawyer wrote to Tom. “Please be further advised that any distribution of this recording would constitute a violation of several California laws.”
The letter continued, “We hereby demand that you delete the recording from your phone and from the cloud and from any other manner or method in which the recording may exist. Additionally, we demand that you advise this office immediately in writing of all people to whom you have forwarded this recording or who you may have allowed to view this recording.”
A second source confirmed that the letter is a preventative measure, rather than an indication of active legal action. Entertainment Tonight confirmed that the Vanderpump Rules cast received a variation of the letter. Apparently, Raquel is only, “making them aware of the seriousness and to further stop the video from going out.”
Lala Kent blasted Raquel for the correspondence in an Instagram Story. She later deleted the post.
“Raquel, tell your little Mickey Mouse lawyer that if he has stuff to send over, he can send things to my lawyer,” Lala wrote. “Same with the rest of my friends and cast. Alright? I’ve never in my life had a lawyer contact me in my personal email. Alright?”
Lala referenced Raquel’s tryst with Tom while calling her out for being a reality TV amateur. She added, ” I know you’re pretty brand new to the game. Didn’t last long. Look what you did with your f**king 15 minutes.”
She continued, “You have something to send over, you can send it to my lawyer. That’s why we have counsel! OK?! I don’t want to deal! I have a life going on! I’ve got a little baby to take care of. I don’t want to see that ever! Send it to Darryl!” she added.
This action won’t ingratiate Raquel with her co-stars. They have all abandoned her in the wake of the affair. Friends, and the public, are rallying around Ariana.
As for the dynamic within the VPR cast, another insider said, “Tom and Raquel’s incident has created a major split in the group with almost everyone against Tom and Raquel. The group feels like Tom has been going through some sort of midlife crisis, with the creation of his band and acting out at times. The girls are rallying around Ariana, but know in time she’ll be OK.”
As for Ariana, she “has no plans to get back with Tom after what he did to her and Tom is ready to move on. Ariana is devastated and feels betrayed, something she won’t be able to get over for a long time,” the source added.
Unsurprisingly, Bravo is on hand to monetize off this heartache. The Pump Rules cast is filming their reactions to the affair. Tom and Ariana also filmed a sit-down. Season 10 will include the fallout from the affair.
TELL US- ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT RAQUEL’S LAWYERS SENT OUT THE LETTER? WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT TOM RECORDING RAQUEL WITHOUT HER CONSENT? WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO LALA’S IG POST?
[Photo Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo]
