‘Southern Charm’ Star Naomie Olindo Sued for Fraud by Former L’Abeye Business Partner
21.10.2022 - 00:57
/ usmagazine.com
A not-so-charming turn of events. Naomie Olindo has been sued for fraud and breach of contract by L’Abeye cofounder Virginia “Ginny” Cox, Us Weekly can confirm.
Cox alleged in her court filing, obtained by Us on Thursday, October 20, that the 30-year-old Southern Charm star had employed deceptive tactics to main control of L’Abeye, in which they had 50/50 ownership stakes and misappropriated earnings.
“At times, Olindo would mention to Plaintiff that their account funds were low and Plaintiff would question Olindo about the low funds because of the amount of revenue and profit that L’Abeye appeared to be making,” Cox’s court filing read, alleging she was unaware of their profit margins. “Subsequently, Olindo excluded Plaintiff from any information about the finances.”
The fashion buyer — who asserts that the reality TV star approached her in early 2018 to help build L’Abeye due to her merchandising background — claimed in her court paperwork that Olindo “misled” her about the company’s finances and “failed to treat the company as a separate and distinct entity.”
Cox was ultimately fired by the France native in May, with Olindo allegedly claiming that Cox “never had an ownership interest” in the e-commerce brand. While the University of South Carolina grad has attempted to seek employment elsewhere, she has claimed that Olindo had been blackballing her.
Cox is seeking a trial by jury, suing her former colleague for 14 causes of action, including breach of contract, dissolution of partnership, fraud and defamation and is hopeful for an award based on actual and punitive damages. The Bravo star, for her part, has denied her former business partner’s allegations.
“Our client does not comment publicly on pending litigation,”