RHOC’s Jim Bellino settles defamation suit against Heather McDonald over 2019 podcast
Ex-Real Housewives of Orange County star Jim Bellino has settled a defamation suit he filed against Heather McDonald over a 2019 podcast the comic put out.
Bellino, 57, and the comedian, 50, said in a joint statement on Monday that they came to ‘a settlement of the dispute on mutually satisfactory terms,’ TMZ reported.
The lawsuit was over McDonald’s remarks on a June 24, 2019 edition of her podcast The Juicy Scoop in regards to his divorce from Alexis Bellino.
The latest: Ex-Real Housewives of Orange County star Jim Bellino, 57, has settled a defamation suit he filed against Heather McDonald, 50, over a 2019 podcast the comic put out
Bellino characterized the remarks as ‘unsubstantiated gossip’ in court papers, saying that McDonald ‘shamelessly dished and peddled’ tidbits from the show, which featured Tamra Judge and Shannon Beador.
McDonald, a Southern California native, said in the joint statement said she ‘never intended to cause any of the damage’ to Bellino personally or professionally.
It’s the latest development in the case after Bellino appealed a judge’s order to dismiss the ongoing suit, TMZ reported. Bellino had sought to withdraw his appeal in July pending a judge’s approval.
In the case, McDonald’s attorney, Jeff Lewis argued that public figures like Bellino didn’t have the right to silence those critical of them via lawsuits, citing anti-SLAPP laws.
Way back when: Former couple Alexis and Jim Bellino attended the Reality TV Awards in 2015
In sync: McDonald posed with musical artist Lance Bass at the event
It was not immediately clear if there were financial ramifications in the case, as the settlement terms were under seal, according to the outlet.
Jim Bellino filed for divorce from Alexis in June of 2018 and the split was finalized that August. The couple initially had exchanged vows April 16, 2005.
Alexis is currently involved with Drew Bohn.