Tom Sandoval has dismissed Rachel Leviss’ lawsuit against him and Ariana Madix, while responding to the filing in his own legal documents.
The reality star, 40, labeled it a “thinly veiled attempt to increase her fame and rebrand herself as a victim instead of the other woman” when responding to the lawsuit.
Sandoval, who cried on camera after Leviss claimed she never loved him during their seven-month affair, disagreed with the lawsuit that labeled him “predatory.”
He also said his ex-partner Ariana Madix, 38, was denigrated as a “woman scorned,” according to legal documents obtained by People And Page six.
In her submitLeviss, 29, accused Sandoval of violating California’s revenge porn law by recording sexually charged sex videos without her consent and keeping them on his phone.
One was a FaceTime video that Madix allegedly saw when she looked through Sandoval’s phone the night she discovered that Tom Tom’s co-owner had cheated on her.
Tom Sandoval, 40, has responded to Rachel Leviss’ lawsuit against him, calling it a “thinly veiled attempt to increase her fame and rebrand herself as a victim instead of the other woman” (pictured in Los Angeles in September 2023 )
Leviss is also suing for wiretapping, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Leviss claimed in her lawsuit that it was her former lover who recorded the explicit FaceTime call.
However, in his counterclaim, the cover singer alleged, “These videos were created by Leviss and published by Leviss to Sandoval through a consensual exchange on FaceTime… Based on Leviss’ own allegations, Sandoval has only retained private copies of the videos that Leviss filmed.” and shared with him.’
He has asked for the case to be dismissed or Leviss’ lawsuit to be amended.
In response to these claims, Leviss’ attorneys responded with “Sandoval’s response to the irrefutable evidence that will be presented in court is disturbing,” in a statement to People.
“Using such claims for media attention and perpetuating victim blaming is not only deplorable, but actionable.”
Although she did not name Bravo or production company Evolution Media in her lawsuit, Leviss claims that they, along with other Vanderpump Rules cast members, subjected her to “public skewering,” making her “without exaggeration, one of the most hated women in America’. .’
She also claimed that she had come to believe that she was “contractually prohibited from speaking out about her abuse,” while the rest of the cast benefited from huge ratings and “unprecedented levels of public recognition and professional opportunity,” while Leviss’ suffered from it’. Silence.’
Leviss, 29, has sued Sandoval and ex-girlfriend Ariana Madix, 38, for wiretapping, revenge porn, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Madix has not responded to the lawsuit (pictured in Los Angeles in July 2021)
Leviss has admitted her fault in the seven-month affair with Sandoval and apologized for her behavior
The former pageant queen claimed she was ‘the victim of the predatory and dishonest behavior of an older man, who recorded sexually explicit videos of her without her knowledge or consent’
Leviss claimed she had come to believe that she was “contractually prohibited from speaking out about her abuse,” while the rest of the cast benefited from booming ratings and “unprecedented levels of public recognition and professional opportunity.”
Leviss admitted her moral failings and apologized for her part in the affair, but claimed she was “the victim of the predatory and dishonest behavior of an older man, who recorded sexually explicit videos of her without her knowledge or consent.”
She claimed the videos were “then circulated, disseminated and publicly discussed by a scorned woman seeking revenge, causing the scandal,” forcing the former pageant queen to seek treatment at a mental health facility where she stayed for three months.
Leviss claims compensatory, special, general and consequential damages.
She wants Sandoval and Madix to stop distribution and destroy all copies of the allegedly explicit video.
She is also asking for her attorneys’ fees to be reimbursed and that the court award any other form of damages it deems appropriate.
Leviss claims the public criticism she received after news of the scandal was revealed made her ‘without exaggeration one of the most hated women in America’ (pictured in Los Angeles, April 1)
On the March 5 episode of Vanderpump Rules, cast member LaLa Kent accused Sandoval of being a predator. You isolate. You groom. You’re lying,” Kent said
Madix has not yet responded to the lawsuit.
Leviss isn’t the only VPR cast member who has accused Sandoval of bad behavior.
On the March 5 episode of the reality show, which was taped several months before the air date, LaLa Kent said, “You know what triggered me when [Leviss] said [during the final part of the season 10 reunion], “If I’m not aligned with Sandoval, I have no one.” You isolate. You groom. You’re lying,” Kent said.
‘I don’t want to know you. You are scary.’