Andy Cohen, a key figure in the Real Housewives franchise, is facing serious allegations from Leah McSweeney, who has accused him of promoting a workplace culture of drug and alcohol abuse.
McSweeney’s lawsuit claims that Cohen engages in cocaine use with employees and favors those who participate.
“Defendant Cohen’s proclivity for cocaine usage with his employees is well-known throughout the Real Housewives franchise,” McSweeney’s complaint reads.
“Defendant Cohen intentionally uses cocaine with his employees to further promote a workplace culture that thrives off drug and alcohol abuse, which leads to a failure to accommodate employees who are disabled and attempting to remain substance free,” it adds.
“The claims against Andy are completely false!” a representative for Cohen wrote.
McSweeney’s filing stated that she was bringing “this action to hold Defendants’ accountable for their unlawful employment acts of disability discrimination, hostile work environment, retaliation, sex and gender discrimination. Reality always reveals itself: these unconscionable practices will no longer be tolerated; the pattern of discrimination and retaliation must stop—it is time that Defendants answer.”
The lawsuit also alleges discrimination and retaliation against McSweeney for wanting to remain sober.
Condemning the “rotted workplace culture that uniquely depended on pressuring its employees to consume alcohol,” the suit states that Cohen “engages in cocaine use with Housewives and other Bravolebrities that he employs.” Cohen praises the “Housewives with whom he uses cocaine with more favorable treatment and edits.”
The suit states “defendants with the knowledge that Ms. McSweeney struggled with alcohol use disorder, colluded with her colleagues to pressure Ms. McSweeney to drink, retaliated against her when she wanted to stay sober, and intentionally failed to provide reasonable accommodations that would aid her efforts to stay sober and able to perform.”
“Your favorite Bravo shows are run by people who create a dangerous work environment, encourage substance abuse to artificially create drama and cynically prey on the vulnerabilities of their employees,” McSeeeney wrote online. “I may be a pariah to them after this, but I do hope my lawsuit helps reality TV to align with its true purpose: to authentically depict the complexities of life while offering genuine support to those who share their stories,” she added.
This legal action adds to a series of lawsuits and controversies surrounding reality TV shows, including claims of sexual assault and harassment within the industry.
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