Talk show host Steve Harvey has been hit with two lawsuits in the span of two months and his latest one just got an affidavit attached to it.
The widow of “What’s Happening” star Fred “Rerun” Berry originally filed a $5 million suit in March claiming emotional distress, infliction of mental anguish, harm caused to her reputation, harassment and witness intimidation.
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 04: TV personality Steve Harvey attends the AOL BUILD Speaker Series: Steve Harvey at AOL Studios In New York on September 4, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
Essie Berry also filed a recent affidavit, which was obtained by Radar Online, that claims Harvey had associates bully her online and that Harvey has effectively blackballed her from the industry, making it impossible for her to make a living.
“From 2013 – August 2018, the Defendant and known affiliates have harassed, bullied, stalked, silenced, threatened, and intimidated Ms. Berry,” the affidavit read. “Furthermore, the Defendant went at great lengths to make Ms. Berry’s life a living hell. The Defendant manipulated media and entertainment outlets with his mistruths and caused intentional harm to Ms. Berry’s health and likeness without any apparent justification. She lost contracts and wages as a result of the defendant’s actions.”
Harvey has denied the allegations, however, and claims Berry and his ex-wife, Mary Vaughn, have conspired to start a “quixotic campaign” to ruin his character.
But that’s not the only lawsuit the comedian has to deal with.
In April, a former guest on his old talk show claims she was sexually harassed on the show in her $2 million filing.
Dominique Collier, a fitness model, alleges the show personnel had her change out of her relatively conservative clothing into an outfit that was more revealing. Rather than Collier being presented as a “single professional [woman]” who enjoys showing off her looks, her feature was about family members concerned about her “too sexy” style and getting a makeover to land a date.
As such, a segment was included in which the audience rated Collier’s looks. The crowd described her as a “whore,” “slut” and as having “daddy issues.” Once the segment was over, the plaintiff also claims Harvey handed her her original outfit, including her bra and panties. She said the moment had her feeling like she was sexually harassed.
No further updates about the case have been publicized.
