The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kelli Ferrell is being dragged to court by a former employee who claims she was stiffed, Us Weekly can exclusively report.
On August 27, Saniyah Casey filed a lawsuit against Ferrell, 40, and her restaurant Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles. Casey accused the defendants of breach of contract, wage theft and causing her emotional distress.
Casey said they were hired on July 8 to work at Nana’s on July 8 and worked until August 15. She claimed to have received only one payment for services rendered during the time frame. She said she was owed over $2,000 in wages and back pay.
She said Ferrell failed to pay the “agreed-upon amount for services rendered, despite repeated demands for payment via verbal communication, text messages and emails.”
The suit asked for $5,000 for emotional distress.
Kelli Ferrell Parrish Lewis/Bravo via Getty Images
Casey wrote, “The emotional toll this has taken on my mental health. The instability of not getting paid by my employer has been crushing.”
She added, “The uncertainty of when I’ll receive my wages, coupled with the emotional toll of giving my all at work while they knowingly go on with their lives and still withhold payment, has left me feeling devalued and deeply stressed. It’s a betrayal that has significantly impacted my mental well-being.”
Casey demanded a total of $18,788.52 in lost wages, back pay and unspecified damages, plus legal fees. She claimed she was considering pressing criminal charges against Ferrell for “knowingly withholding payment, paying without documentation and failure to pay and collect taxes on said wages.”
A rep for Ferrell tells Us, “Due to a routine administrative error that can occasionally occur when launching a new business, Ms. Casey’s payment was delayed by two weeks. Rather than accepting a certified check that was promptly offered to resolve the matter, she instead chose to pursue a civil suit — one that significantly exaggerates the damages she claims to have suffered during her brief one-month tenure at Nana’s Chicken & Waffles.”
Kelli Ferrell Carol Lee Rose/Getty Images
The rep added, “If this situation had truly caused the level of emotional distress alleged, it stands to reason that she would have accepted the payment when it was repeatedly extended to her. Instead, it appears that Ms. Casey is attempting to leverage the fact that Ms. Potter-Ferrell is currently filming a nationally televised project, using this small and resolvable issue to draw attention and publicity.”
“We recognize that this type of scrutiny comes with the territory for Ms. Ferrell. Nonetheless, we sincerely wish Ms. Casey the best, both professionally and personally, and remain committed to resolving this matter swiftly and appropriately,” Ferrell’s spokesperson ended.
Being a Real Housewife isn’t all diamonds and rosé — just ask the many Bravolebrities who’ve legal woes have played out in the spotlight. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from […]
As Us first reported, the RHOA star called police on her neighbor named Perri over an alleged assault.
A couple of days later, a woman named Monualda Perri Cash obtained a temporary protective order against Ferrell.
Kandi Burruss’ legal battle with her restaurant landlord turned ugly with the former Real Housewives of Atlanta star’s company rushing to court over alleged harassment, Us Weekly can exclusively report. According to court documents obtained by Us, Burruss, 49, and her husband Todd Tucker’s company, Burruss Tucker Restaurant Group, asked for an emergency hearing as […]
Cash claimed Ferrell had to be “physically restrained and removed” from her home on August 9.
Ferrell’s rep denied the accusations. “Since the announcement of Kelli’s involvement with The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Mrs. Cash has engaged in a concerning pattern of behavior directed at Kelli and her family … Out of respect for all parties, we will not be commenting further at this time,” her rep told Us. “We strongly urge that Kelli’s privacy — and that of her family — be respected, and we caution against the spread of misinformation.”
About the Author
