
As we mentioned last month, Oprah Winfrey's mother, Vernita Lee, reportedly owes over $155,000 to a high-end fashion store in Wisconsin.
And, since she owes so much and hasn't paid up, the store, Valentina, Inc, is suing Momma O's momma.
Lee was supposed to pay monthly installments of $2,000 to cover the $155,547 in purchases, plus interest, and hasn't paid since July 1st.
At the time, Lee would enjoy private showings, special delivery services, and perks from the store. She also had her open-ended charge account with them, since January 2004.
But now Lee says she shouldn't have to pay the bill!
The reason?
Apparently Lee believes the store officials never should have extended credit to her.
That's not a reason why not to pay up!
So, Lee has now filed a counterclaim as of last Friday, where she contends that Valentina took advantage of her "lack of knowledge, ability, and-or capacity" when creating her credit account.
WHAT?!?!
Is she saying she doesn't know HOW to use a credit account? Because it seems pretty obvious to us.
What you buy, you must eventually pay for!
According to Lee, she resolved a 2002 case with the company over a $175,000 bill.
That resolution prohibited Valentina from extending any further credit to her.
SHADY!!
In 2002, Lee was ordered to pay $35,000 upfront and also make monthly payments of $5,000 until her other past-due bill of $174,285 was paid for.
So, as part of the resolution in 2002, the court order which dismissed the case stated, "Valentina Boutique, Inc., shall not at any time extend further store credit to the Defendant, Vernita Lee."
So the 2002 case was dismissed as long as Lee made the payments, which she did.
And, now in her counterclaim, Lee is asking the court to award her damages including twice the amount of any finance charge on the account, plus her attorney fees.
So Lee's been in this same situation with the same company? And she knew she shouldn't get credit from the store if she couldn't pay up, but she took it anyway. And now doesn't want to pay.
That's messed up.
Oprah wouldn't approve!
And the store is stoopid for giving her the credit the second time around - bit not too stoopid. We're sure they were hoping O would bail her momma out!
[Image via WENN.]
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