Paula Deen Lawsuit: Chef Reponds, Denies "Baseless" Allegations
by Free Britney at .Attorneys for Paula Deen said that the former worker suing for sexual harassment and being subjected to a hostile work environment is making false allegations.
Deen's camp says Lisa Jackson only made the claims after rebuffing attempts to resolve the matter amicably, and after the chef refused to pay her to keep quiet.
The lawsuit, filed Monday, "makes false allegations against Paula Deen and they will be proven false in court," said a statement from the firm representing Deen.
The law firm said the suit was filed in a local court after the Southern cooking star and Type 2 diabetic refused to pay the woman to "address false claims."
Attorneys for Jackson, a former general manager at the restaurant, didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment regarding Deen's rebuttal.
Jackson said her doctor encouraged her to quit managing Uncle Bubba's Seafood and Oyster House in Savannah, Ga., due to panic attacks and other stress.
The restaurant is owned by Paula Deen and her brother Bubba Hiers.
Jackson, who is white, said in the lawsuit that Hiers routinely made inappropriate sexual remarks and that she heard Heirs and Deen using racial slurs.
The woman also said in court papers that she saw Hiers violently shake a black employee and that he "fostered a workplace environment of intimidation."Deen's law firm said that she had investigated Jackson's claims and had unsuccessfully attempted to reach out and address them with her.
"She has made baseless, inflammatory allegations, threatening to go to the press and ruin Paula Deen's reputation," the firm's statement said.
After she allegedly demanded a large cash payout, "we refused to bow to that kind of pressure and refused to pay money to address false claims."
Jackson's lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.
[Photo: WENN.com]
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Comments (20 Total)
Please stop calling her a chef...chefs really cannot stand her and hate that she is called one...she is a cook and a poor one at that.
for all thats reading, CANT WE ALL JUST GET ALONG? This is a situation that just has to play out. Although it sounds like extortion, who are we that we can be the judge and the jury of this lawsuit? God sits high and looks low, he sees all things. If this woman is telling the truth or lying, it will all come to light... Pray for them both!
As a former manager of this establishment I can tell you that this family is genuine. Paulas work ethic is higher than anyone I know. The only person feared in this business was the plaintiff herself . This is just a case of trying to get money from a hard working family that deserve everything they have. This woman is pure evil and soon the world will see it too. Hang in there Bubba and Paula. Glad you're fighting this!
I SO BELIEVE the hostile work environment - Paula revealed her nasty side when she started that Paula's party. There were disgusting sexual innuendos (to be polite) that were very unbecoming, at least unexpected on a woman her age that we've invited into our homes like a grandma. She continues to make sexualized comments -- I suspect the work environment has that nasty tone.
I once read somewhere that Paula has a very explosive temper whenever she doesn't get her way. And, from what I hear, Paula's brother Bubba Hiers has a police record and a very violent past. So...I think that Lisa Jackson has a case. All in all, we shall see..........