Wendy Williams caught off guard by ex-husband’s lawsuit filed in her name
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Former television host, Wendy Williams, expressed shock as she revealed that her ex-husband, Kevin Hunter, filed a lawsuit amounting to $250 million under her name without her knowledge. In a conversation with TMZ, Williams disclosed that she had “no idea” about the legal action taken by Hunter, which targeted her court-appointed guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, and the judge overseeing her conservatorship case, Lisa Sokoloff. Williams emphasised her desire to remain distanced from her ex-husband, stating, “I’m divorced forever”. The couple ended their over two-decade-long marriage in 2019, with Williams labelling Hunter as a “money-grubber” who has consistently displayed such tendencies. Despite the lawsuit filed by Hunter on June 17, Williams remains unfazed, asserting, “He won’t win.”
In response to these developments, Wendy Williams’ lawyer, Joe Tacopina, clarified that Williams was completely unaware of the lawsuit being filed in her name. Tacopina further conveyed that Williams is displeased by the situation, highlighting that Hunter lacks the authority to engage her in such legal matters. The lawsuit, lodged on June 17, names 48 defendants, including Morrissey and Sokoloff, with Hunter alleging violations of Williams’ constitutional rights and long-standing confinement under guardianship. While attempts were made to reach out to the concerned parties for comments, Wells Fargo and Williams’ assisted living facility refrained from providing any statements.
The lawsuit initiated by Hunter does not seek to terminate Williams’ guardianship but rather requests the appointment of a new unbiased guardian, unsealing of case files, release from involuntary confinement, full forensic accounting, and a substantial financial relief of $250 million. Additionally, Hunter aims to be designated as Williams’ “next friend”, a role granting him the authority to act on behalf of an individual in need of representation when no guardian is present. LaShawn Thomas, Hunter’s legal representative, acknowledged Williams’ lack of involvement in the lawsuit, stressing their commitment to present compelling evidence supporting their claims for her emancipation from the guardianship.
Wendy Williams recently made efforts to be released from her legal guardianship, which was imposed in early 2022. The sole individual with unrestricted access to Williams under this arrangement has been Morrissey. Following a diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in February 2024, Williams reflected on her plight during an interview with Charlamagne Tha God on The Breakfast Club, underscoring feelings of being restricted and expressing discontent with the prevailing legal system. Williams disclosed challenges in accessing her financial resources, highlighting her struggles within the system over the last three years.
In light of these legal battles and personal hardships, Wendy Williams continues to navigate through a complex web of legal complexities while striving for autonomy and justice. The ongoing saga involving her ex-husband’s contentious lawsuit sheds light on the intricacies of legal guardianship and personal autonomy, prompting a closer examination of Williams’ journey towards regaining control over her affairs amidst a public spotlight.