Judith Sheindlin, otherwise known on television as Judge Judy, is being sued by Patric Jones for $500,000 after allegedly purchasing expensive fine chinaware for a knocked-down price from a divorcing couple.
The lawsuit contends that Judy purchased French designer Christofle plates and flatware from her producer Randy Douthit for $50,000. As the transaction was being made, Douthit was still embroiled in a divorce with Jones.
Jones now claims that the China was worth 10 times more then what the famous television personality paid for. She further accused the 70-year-old television judge of knowing the tableware’s real worth and bought it understanding that Douthit sold the items at a low price in a case of revenge against his wife.
The claimant also argues in the lawsuit that the fine china was community property in the divorce, which means her husband had no right to sell it. Other allegations include Douthit agreeing to be paid a reduced salary in his participation in the “Judge Judy Show” so he wouldn’t have to pay as much money in the divorce settlement.
On Tuesday, the woman’s lawyer, Perry Wander, filed the lawsuit against Judy in the Santa Monica Court. The court papers, obtained by TMZ, reveal that Judy has two options: return the tableware or pay Jones the claimed value of $514,420.14. Punitive damages are also being asked.
“I have not seen any complaint by the former Mrs. Douthit, however, I don’t owe this lady a cent,” stated Judy in an interview to the entertainment news outlet. “And if this 50-year-old woman would spend her time more productively at trying to find a job, instead of abusing the judicial system with frivolous lawsuits, we would all be a lot better off.”
In 2009, divorce documents show that Douthit was ordered to reverse the sale as his wife did have some claims to the china, according to the Daily Mail. However, three years later, the plates came into question again and a judge ordered the producer to pay Jones half the plates’ value, which meant that she no longer claimed possession to them. The judge had valued the plates at $125,000.
Wander told the news organization that the judge’s ruling was tentative and the attorneys will attempt to change the judge’s mind prior to the final decision. If they disagree with the ruling then they will appeal.
In the end, the lawsuit argues that Judy paid for expensive china at a reduced price and paid her producer less money.