It’s time to check in on Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd’s legal woes again. If you remember last summer, our darling Lisa was flitting about assuring everyone that her legal matter with Karina Bustillos was resolved in her favor. But as I told you at the time, nothing could be further from the truth. And today things got even worse. As you may recall, Bustillos was one of a few people who sued Lisa, Ken and Villa Blanca for sexual harassment and a hostile work environment. Despite Lisa publicly denying it on Twitter left and right, a jury found in favor of Bustillos. She was awarded $6,250 in compensatory damages plus attorneys’ fees. For the past several months, we’ve waited to see what the judge would award in regard to attoney’s fees. And today we found out.
Today, City News Service reports:
A former server at a Beverly Hills restaurant owned by “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Lisa Vanderpump and her husband was awarded nearly $1.5 million today in attorney’s fees.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Linfield said he disagreed with defense attorney Marianne Zakarian’s claims that the $1.49 million in fees sought on behalf of plaintiff Karina Bustillos was excessive.
Lisa Maki, one of Bustillos’ lawyers, praised the ruling.
“We believe it is important to award ample fees in civil rights cases such as this so that plaintiffs will be encouraged to come forward,” Maki said.
This is highly problematic for Lisa and Ken because they are quietly trying to unload Villa Blanca. And it was released in court that the value of the restaurant is $1.4 million dollars. It seems like the judge wanted to him them in their personal pocketbook as he agreed that they should each be held personally responsible. Based on Lisa and Ken’s own testimony, jury found that Villa Blanca was liable for the hostile work environment and that it acted with malice. The judge later ruled that Lisa and Ken were also individually liable.
Lisa is not having a good day today. And It seems she is not happy with me reporting the actual news on her legal situation, as she has blocked me on Twitter! Just like Phaedra. Go figure. Perhaps if she doesn’t see the news, it will not exist? Do you think they will get enough out of the Villa Blanca sale to cover Bustillos’ legal fees? I suppose we will find out soon.
It’s very interesting that this news is breaking on the night of the RHOBH premier…
This seems so absurd, did I read it right? $1.49 mil in attorneys fees, but Bustillos was only awarded $6k? Well, we see who really profits from all this :/
I think it’s outrageous for those legal fees for this 6k case. I could see giving a larger sum to the plaintiff by the judge, but just to the lawyers?
The legal fees were valid fees. It costs what it costs. Beverly Hills. Shi! Shi! Shi!
On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 5:30 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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When costs are awarded here in good old Australia it goes through a rigorous Costs Court procedure. No judge just awards a random amount as punitive punishment for malice. MERICA!
While this certainly is a blow, it’s not considered punitive damages per se. It’s attorney fees. Just the cost of going to court…
On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 8:12 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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I agree. It’s insane. And I wonder how this is suppose to make victims want to come forward when their attorney, not them, will benefit from any large award given.
talk about an expensive lesson learned. I love lisa as a housewife, but i think she got what she deserved regarding this case
she blocked me too. also, do you get coins if we click the ads?
I get coins when you see them. I don’t know if on this particular platform clicking helps. I would not go out of my way, just click if something interest you.
On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 4:07 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Yeah, their whole play was to keep it all tied up in the court system until Bustillos dropped out due to the aggravation or the expense. The civil rights attorneys took the case and worked it for two years or so knowing they might never be paid but of course keeping records of their billable time.
On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 4:19 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
> I get coins when you see them. I don’t know if on this particular > platform clicking helps. I would not go out of my way, just click if > something interest you. > > On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 4:07 PM, Tamara Tattles [email protected]> wrote: > >>
Wowzers! Maybe they will think twice the next time they try to push around one of their employees. I am sure that when this employee brought her suit against them that they thought they would have the upper hand because they have money and expensive attorneys. Probably thought they could push her around and intimidate her….guess they thought wrong! Good on this Judge for finding in favor of the employee.
hmmmm, i wonder iwhat another HW invokved in a lawsuit thinks about this decision.
so all of that goes to legal fees? that is a crazy amount. i would think that much money to have the plaintiff awarded just 6k is nuts. but on the flip side they stuck it to lisa who i really do like but i think she screwed up big time in this case.
As I recall the 6k was for actual damages and she got 50k or more in other damages.
lucky lawyer!
There were multiple lawyers on the case, thus the staggering bill.
On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 4:50 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Wow I knew I should have gone into law and been a lawyer. That’s where the BIG BUCKS are.
ok, lucky lawyers 🙂
I’m unable to comment to the poster below — so I’ll post it above. Working your way up to the big time (as an attorney) is a matter of getting lucky. IDK who those attorney’s were, but they will enjoy that settlement while they can. I know several attorneys that have passed the CA state bar, but… unfortunately for them, it’ll take years for them to make any sort of money to live a “high profile” life out here. Maybe it depends on the area.. Law is just not what it’s all cracked up to be.
I don’t think these lawyers are particularly high profile. I believe they are civil rights lawyers. I could be wrong. Muchlike Angela Stanton’s lawyer, they are usually fighting for a cause rather than for a financial win for a plaintiff or sometimes both. But they can bill their rates for as long as the opposition feels like drawing it out. It will more than likely result in more money for the lawyers of the wronged party in the end.
Most high profile lawyers don’t want to fuck with a case like this for two years. That is what the accused count on. Wearing people down and bankrupting them.
On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 6:03 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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In response to TT’s comment: sort of like insurance companies do when fighting off claimants (it’s company policies for such insurance companies — won’t name names but one has the “you’re in good hands” logo, but in my head I add two middle fingers sticking straight up!). They hope the plaintiff gives up or goes bankrupt. The lawyers defending the Vanderpumps probably knew this would be the outcome if they kept fighting. But they can’t force a settlement on their clients if their clients refuse to settle. Lisa and Ken, I just have one thing to say. Dumb and dumber.
I’m not surprised she’s been involved in a few shady business deals. It’s par for the course. Perfect timing though for the premier.
I’m still bitter that they softened her villain edit so much last season when she was caught being so nasty towards Kyle. By the sound of her tag line, I’m sure she’ll be back in the good graces of the majority. Alliances are always shifting. I already feel bad for what Kyle will once again go through this season. With the type of fiends she has, you don’t need enemies.
pssst. I hate to agree with you twice in one day because it makes me feel like I am not looking at things right…but I like Kyle too. Don’t tell the others. They might stone us.
On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 4:50 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Hi TT Yes Kyle has some good traits, but she also has some nasty ones. One of them being she loves to stir the pot. If anything is going on and she finds out, she can’t wait to tell someone and turn it into a sh#% fest. I think you already know this though. Another thing, I wish she wouldn’t keep trying to keep up with the “Jones’s” so to speak. Just be a decent person and cut the crap on the I’m better than you bit. I guess that would make for dull TV though. Oh well.
She stirs the pot! OMG GOODNESS! She should be fired from reality TV immediately!
um…wait… you see… oh nevermind.
On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 5:28 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Kyle doesn’t stir the pot ANY more than any other housewife in the history of this franchise. In fact, she has been VERY loyal to her friends, and there are very few moments you can actually point to her being malicious or purposefully nasty towards someone else besides maybe her sister and Brandi when she first showed up.
Whether rumors about her husband are true or not (and I have a feeling they’re true), her friends treated her HORRIBLY and made it into a story line. I don’t know how Kyle could even forgive Lisa at this point for last season.
Sorry to disagree with you, but KYLE made the rumors a story line! She never shut up about them!
Lol you can’t support Kyle for being a pot stirrer and then slam Lisa for doing the same. They all do it. 😀
Yeah……I too like Kyle. Have from the first episode. As for those lawyers fees. Are you listening Phaedra ?
What season did you watch, Angel? The only time Kyle mentioned the rumors were when her FRIENDS were asking her about them. Before the season even begun, she asked them not to bring them up on camera (silly naive Kyle). Lisa joked about it in front of Portia even. Disgusting.
And let’s not forget the luncheon where the Dream Team decimated Kyle and sent her away crying. “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire” is what I think Lisa and Yolanda were saying. Just malicious. So no, Kyle didn’t make it a story line. Her castmates did.
I really like Lisa and Ken but for the life of me I don’t get one thing: they produce and star in a reality show that ACTUALLY DOCUMENTS: employees drinking on site at work, profanity, sexual conversations and violence among the staff. All of that stuff added up equals a pretty toxic work place. And, of course, eminently entertaining. But I wouldn’t doubt that after today’s million dollar plus ruling Lisa may pull that show. Maybe Vanderpump doesn’t rule after all
I agree. They advertise a toxic workplace and open restaurants just so they can showcase ridiculous unacceptable behavior from wannabe talentless “actors,” like there are no other wannabes in Beverly Hills that can wait tables. Perhaps the Judge caught a few episodes. These unappealing people would have been fired from any real restaurant the first time they showed their individual or collective asses. The second that show comes on, I scramble for the remote. I cannot tolerate any of them, including “Employer Lisa” who condones it all. Ken is just an innocent dog sitter for Lisa. She’s the boss on all the Ponderosas. Judging from the royal lifestyle they portray on the show, this judgment is just chump change. I hope she has more lawsuits coming. Next.
Maisey,,,,,just what I wanted to say. Is it real or is it TV. Vanderpump is a real trashy show. Shameful. They dealt it now they smell it.
Yet another example of why people settle lawsuits, guilty or not, rather then go to court.
“The first thing we do, is kill the lawyers.” – Shakespeare
Can you imagine how little they could have settled that lawsuit, and in return, had the plaintiff sign a confidentiality and non-disparagement agreement, so none of this would see the light of day. Why didn’t their attorney manage this better? Only $6K claim — that’s freaking small claims court stuff. Ridiculous.
and of course, just because they lost, doesn’t mean their lawyer doesn’t get paid. Cha Ching…
Yep and they had the high powered attorneys the thing is they have had lots of them. Just like Phaedra. The high powered attorneys are not going to mess with this forever. Ken and Lisa may not ever be able to pay off all the attorneys involved in this.
On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 6:44 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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I believe they did that with someone else. Not sure why they didn’t do it with her. I think there is another case open as well… the pastry chef? or maybe Bustillos is the pastry chef? Sorry, I’m under the weather and it’s been a busy blogging day. #BrainFreeze
On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 6:39 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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**at the end of the day** — consider yourself blessed to be blocked;)
I was a Lisa devoted follower. In fact, I detested Brandi when she first came on the show, but gave her a chance when Lisa took her under her wing. Then Lisa decided to do Vanderpump Rules (publicity dahling), and I don’t care how good the ratings are, it makes her look horrible. What she allows to go on in her restaurants, and the behavior she tolerates of her pets, or Pandy’s friends, makes me question her business sense and her character. Greed and hubris will get you in the end. Everytime.
It’s what got me…. j/k
Scheana testified for Lisa and Ken against Bustillos. Scheana got an engagement and a Bravo wedding. I’m sure that is just coincidence.
On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 6:33 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Lisa would say “Happenstance, darling”.
Lisa is shady, and she can’t handle being challenged in any way. That’s why she blocked you.
Yeah but she doesn’t even know I am here. What happens is some fuck knuckle tweets her the link…Because fools can’t help but tweet the Bravolebs because it brings them some sick thrill.
On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 6:55 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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You underestimate your reach my dear….
TT if I know who you are Lisa does. She most definitely has a Google alert for her name and pretends she doesn’t. But yes I don’t understand why people would directly message housewives.
Yet more proof that my husband went into the wrong kind of law…
But remember, these types of cases require attorneys to work long, hard hours without pay. Usually, they have to work for firms who can carry the overhead. If they lose, they don’t get anything. It’s a crap shoot. That’s why many, many lawyers do not do the contingency fee thing. In these types of cases, where the statute allows for the recovery of fees, it’s a safer bet, but you still have to win.
OMG!
I work in Los Angeles, in the legal profession and worked in Labor & Employment law for a number of years. That is a crazy award!! For a little single plaintiff case??? When you win a case, you have to do a fee application, the Jury does not award legal fees, the judge does based on a fee app. I would have thought at best the fees would have been around $400,000 to 650,000 tops!
I cannot believe this, Lisa had a pretty shitty lawyer to end up paying this kind of money. The next time I am downtown I am going to check out the file, cause something isn’t right here.
Yes dear. You always know better than the actual litigants.
On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 7:20 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Huh?
@Lawstangel-can the judge’s decision be appealed? Could the judge reason that an appeal might bring a settlement closer to a reasonable amount and decide to teach Ken and Lisa a lesson with this decision? Just the thought of possibly having to pay these fees as well as their own has to cause a few sleepless nights.
I want to say this was an appeal. I think the jury recommended $100K in atty fees and Lisa’s attorneys bucked and went to the judge. Again, my memory sucks, go back and read the history of the case by clicking the Bustillos link.
On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 9:56 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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@Dracla- I do not know if this was decided at the trial court level as a motion for reconsideration OR if this was an actual Appeal to a higher court. If it was decided at the trial court level, of course. it can be taken up to the California Court of Appeal, but that is a whole new level of risk/expense, etc. If a party appeals and loses, they are usually liable for additional fees for the appeal plus their own fees. I am hoping to check out the file next time I am downtown, as I am curious, from a procedural point of view how Lisa’s lawyer approached this. At the end of the day it is all public record.
I’d love to hear what you find Lawstangel. Thanks!
WOW… Lisa better hock a hell of a lot more of her crispy chicken
Isn’t Lisa supposed to be on WWHL tonight? Think she’ll bail? Better yet, does anything think Andy Cohen has the balls to ask her about this case and the fee award?
Andy doesn’t know about it. I’m probably the only blog reporting it. I don’t think most people want to air the Vanderpump dirty laundry. But news is news. And I have a source close to the case, so… here we are.
On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 8:11 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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People in power (especially those who begin to think they’re untouchable) need to be careful about screwing over their hired help. Case in point — the Virginia governor and his wife went after the mansion chef over groceries he took for his new business. He “sang” in return for a misdemeanor and now they are both CONVICTED FELONS. Don’t mess with the kitchen staff!
I love Lisa, but am beginning to adjust the tint in my rose-colored Lisa glasses.
Something is wrong in a system that awards a victim $6,000 and the attorneys over a MILLION. M I L L I O N. I know there was varying circumstances but I just can’t even comprehend the drastic differences in these two numbers.
It means that in reality the case should have been settled/dropped ages ago. It should never have racked up over $1 million in fees. Everyone was stupid in this case. Lisa should have offered the girl 100k to shut up and go away. The girl should have taken the money and run. Instead the Lawyers are richer and everyone else loses. The employability of the plaintiff also took a hit as most establishments/businesses wont be eager to hire her.
The two numbers are not related. The attorneys were paid for their time over at least two years. The plaintiff was paid for her losses. This would not have happened if the Vanderpumps had settled. I think they did make a settlement off but it wasn’t accepted. I could be wrong. If you click the word Bustillos in the post, you can read all the stuff I used to know before I forgot. 🙂
On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 8:37 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Wasn’t it like 50k or 10k? Something low but more than what she actually got. That’s why even the victim is an idiot. How did they rack up over $1 million of fees? Ridiculous.
Wait a minute. So the victim gets six grand ( $6k) and the attorney gets a million?
My understanding is jury awarded $6000 in compensatory damages PLUS $100,000 in punitive damages, and court ruled Lisa and Ken would be individually liable for those damages (not just their business entity that owns the restaurant business).
I’m glad there are attorney’s willing to fight a civil rights violation, not knowing if they would be compensated. At least now Lisa and Ken, and other employers know there is a high price to pay. Thank you TT, for reporting this. I’ve always liked Lisa and Ken, now I’m not too sure I can see past this.
OMG lisa better milk them gays at her new club, DUMP, to pay these lawyers. What an astounding figure.
Not sure if I should be offended by this comment….
I’d go with yes.
It’s one of those statements that if you, JD or UF posted I’d assume was some snarky banter. But from this guy it just appeared completely derogatory.
Jarlath isn’t really that way. I just like to encourage outrage. Last week we had Jewish outrage, I think a little gay outrage might be good for this week’s ratings. #Selfish.
On Tue, Nov 18, 2014 at 2:18 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Can’t imagine that Ken & Lisa do not have liability insurance that would cover most or all of the judgment. I carry a million dollar liability policy of each & every property I own.
If they are restaurants, you also probably have an HR person who handles sexual harassment complaints too. There was a reason that Ken and Lisa were also found individually liable. I believe that was because they valued the restaurant below the value of the attorneys fees…
I am not surprised that Lisa didn’t settle. Rich, arrogant people like Ken and Lisa Vanderpump think they are above the law and cannot lose. I also am not surprised at the lawsuit. Mark my word, there will be more lawsuits ahead that they will lose. Lisa Vanderpump is not truthful. She is fake, egotistical, narcisstics, and very vindictive. Case in point: she insulted Cedric stating he only had a two inch penis on TV after he left their house. Kyle Richards is correct that Lisa can never admit to being wrong. I used to have a Google blog up about how badly Lisa Vanderpump treated Cedric Martinez, and ruined his life and career. I may put it up again. Lisa and her Sugar Daddy Ken Vanderpump deserve to be sued into bankruptcy and possibly put in prison.
…”it’s interesting picture they paint of themselves” in Lisa’s words.
I’ve waited for some reality to hit these two square in their smug mug. A nice public judgment from the Beverly Hills judge is a nice flourish. I truly appreciate your research and blog on this in paricular. I’m so curious what else may arise.
A little misogyny goes a long way. Told my boss and he did nothing. As a little old tomboy somehow the lady in me told me it was time to leave. Although you can’t get blood from a stone surely in time the pump will run dry. Well, well, well.