I think we can all agree that Mary Cosby of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is a bit of an odd duck. During Season 1, she won fans over for her bloodhound ability to smell hospital on Jen Shah. Mary marched to the beat of her own drum as the seasons went on. Whether that was calling Whitney Rose a “bobblehead” or refusing to take part in the cast dinner in Malibu. Even after refusing to show up to a reunion taping, Mary was asked back and given a snowflake. But scandal has marred Mary for most of her time on the show. Fans quickly learned that just because you’re a pastor of a church doesn’t always mean Jesus is watching out for you.
Mary Cosby was accused of running a cult
Former Faith Temple Pentecostal Church members came out of the woodwork last season to share their experiences with Mary. Many claimed that she instilled fear in them, hoping they would become loyal worshippers. As viewers learned during Season 1 of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Mary had married her step-grandfather, Bishop Robert Cosby, shortly after her grandmother, Rosemary Redmon Cosby, passed away in 1997. This was to ensure she inherited her grandmother’s multimillion-dollar estate, businesses, and her role as head of the church. During the premiere season, leaked audio recordings of Mary’s sermons were aired, but they didn’t shine a positive light on Mary.
In fact, the audio showed her complaining about not getting nearly enough birthday cards as she called her congregations“stingy” and “poor.” During the reunion, Mary told Andy Cohen, “My church couldn’t possibly take care of me. I’m a God-fearing woman. I would never do that.” However, Season 2 only put Mary more in the spotlight as a Salt Lake City community leader Cameron Williams told Lisa Barlow, “Is it a cult? Yes. Does she call herself ‘God’? Yes.”
Mary Cosby is standing up for herself
Last week, it was revealed via the Salt Lake City Tribune that Mary was suing church executives for the amount of $6.3 million over alleged embezzlement of funds. Along with her husband, Robert Sr., the pastor has decided to sue the executives operating their church’s business. In the lawsuit, Mary targeted two executives from her church’s for-profit financial business arm. Mary, who is the church’s vice president, and Robert, the president, filed the lawsuit on Wednesday. The couple is seeking damages from Annie Johnson, Shawn Turner, and the United Security Financial business firm.
The lawsuit claims that Annie was a former member of Faith Temple and served as the President of USF, while Shawn is listed as the Secretary of USF. The documents claim that the pair misappropriated church funds for personal use by securing loans against Faith Temple property. This included a loan where Robert’s signature was reportedly forged. Shawn and Annie have also been accused of wrongfully dismantling and selling an AM radio station. The radio station in question, which was purchased in 1991, was reportedly paid for with church funds.
Mary Cosby is a controversial Real Housewives star
The lawsuit also alleges that Annie funneled Faith Temple offerings into her own personal bank accounts. The document reads she would use “intimidation, threats, verbal abuse, racial degradation, and physical abuse” against the members for them to cash USF checks and give her the money directly. Mary has yet to speak publicly about the lawsuit and is letting her lawyers do the work for her. The pastor has had multiple controversial moments since starting to air her life on the Bravo franchise, with the lawsuit just adding to the intrigue.
Real Housewives of Salt Lake City viewers first questioned Mary after learning she married her step-grandfather at her dying grandmother’s wish. In Season 2, she doesn’t hold back when speaking to Jen, as she calls her a “Mexican thug.” During the same season, she noted her co-star had “slanty eyes,” which resulted in many calling her a racist. Mary has never been one to mince words. She body-shamed Heather Gay after she wore Gucci, saying, “I’ve never seen a corset in, like, a size 14.” So, undoubtedly, it will be interesting to see how Mary’s lawsuit turns out and what other information it might unearth.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK MARY COSBY WILL BE VICTORIOUS?
