The newbie of the Real Housewives of Orange County, Katie Ginella, is getting a warm reception from fans. In her freshman year as a Bravo star, she has already upset Gina Kirschenheiter and gone up against Heather Dubrow. Viewers have learned that the former golf pro had a messy divorce from her first husband, which left her fighting for custody. However, it seems that Katie isn’t new to dealing with the police. Recently, it was revealed she has been a part of another lawsuit. Here’s what we know.
Katie Ginella was sued
In Touch reported that Katie was sued by a man named Sidnei Silva in March 2016. The documents show that Katie was accused of calling the police to report a fake crime, which caused a wrongful arrest. The allegations led to Sidnei filing multiple lawsuits. In the lawsuit, Sidnei claimed he had an altercation with the Real Housewives of Orange County star on the highway on April 12, 2015. The man claimed she followed him to his house and “parked her vehicle behind” his work van outside his home. The legal documents note, “Katie exited her vehicle and confronted Sidnei aggressively.” It was then that Sidnei pulled out his cell phone to record Katie’s antics, claiming it was “in an effort to protect himself.” The move provoked Katie to call emergency services, where she “falsely” reported a crime.
At the time of the incident, Sidnei claimed that Katie had told the operator that he was blocking her from leaving the scene. The plaintiff said that there was no way he was stopping Katie from getting back inside her car and leaving the scene. The man noted the altercation shook him up.
Katie Ginella was allegedly the aggressor
The court documents further tell the story: “When police arrived minutes later, Katie again communicated to them that Sidnei had blocked her path and prevented her from getting inside her vehicle and leaving.” As a result of Katie’s allegations, “the police initially arrested Sidnei for false imprisonment, disorderly conduct, and reckless driving.” After a thorough investigation, “the police determined that Katie was the primary aggressor and that her allegations against Sidnei were false.”
The man has claimed in the filing that “as a result of the investigation initiated by Katie’s call and her subsequent false allegations, was thrown to the ground, injured and arrested.” Sidnei also noted that he was obliged to hire representation and fight charges that ultimately ended up being dismissed. Legal documents show that he spent $12,625 on legal fees to defend himself. Sidnei is now arguing that the Bravo star be held accountable for his legal fees. The man has also accused Katie of slander. Sidnei asked for over $100,000 in damages. According to the outlet, the court docket showed that Katie had never responded to the case. In 2018, a default judgment of $112,945.00 was entered.
This isn’t Katie Ginella’s first lawsuit
Sidnei didn’t stop at just suing Katie. He also decided to file a separate lawsuit against the law enforcement officer who was involved in his arrest. The legal documents revealed the inner details of what first led Katie to follow Sidnei all the way home. Allegedly, Sidnei was driving home when he saw Katie texting while driving while she had several children in her car. In the documents, Sidnei revealed that eight years prior, a driver who was texting killed his brother. In an attempt to shame Katie, he shook his head at her. The head nod caused Katie to follow him home to his residence.
The lawsuit read, “Katie parked behind Silva, got out of her car, leaving the children inside, and screamed at him. Confused by the woman’s behavior — after all, she was the one who had endangered the public and the children in her car by texting while driving — Silva began recording the event with his cell phone.” However, in 2018, Sidnei agreed to dismiss the case.
Katie has had multiple lawsuits to contend with over the years. She was involved in a custody battle in 2018. In August 2024, Katie and her business partners were sued by Chad Rusky over golf-shaped tee glasses she uses for her company, Tee Shots. But she has denied the claims she stole any idea.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK KATIE WAS WRONG FOR FOLLOWING THE MAN HOME AFTER A ROAD RAGE INCIDENT?
