Tom Sandoval has initiated legal action against Ariana Madix following a video scandal involving Rachel “Raquel” Leviss.
More than a year after their breakup due to Sandoval’s affair with Leviss, he accuses Madix of unauthorized access to explicit videos on his phone.
The lawsuit alleges that on March 1, 2023, Madix accessed, copied, and distributed explicit recordings of Leviss that she discovered on Sandoval’s phone during an intimate FaceTime session that Leviss later claimed was recorded without her consent. The issue escalated and became a public scandal.
Court filings reveal Sandoval’s claim that Madix shared these recordings with Leviss and others without permission. This situation unfolded dramatically in Season 10 of Vanderpump Rules and continued to stir controversies in the subsequent season.
Responding to an apology attempt in the show’s May finale, Madix, 39, firmly refused to reconcile with Sandoval, stating he did not deserve to speak to her.
Regarding the legal battle, Madix’s attorney, Jordan Susman, criticized the lawsuit as a manoeuvre by Sandoval to “torture” Madix and shirked responsibility for his initial actions. Susman expressed confidence that the jury would rule against Sandoval’s allegations.
In contrast, Sandoval’s attorney, Matthew Geragos, described the lawsuit as a “cross-complaint” in reaction to a lawsuit Leviss filed against both Sandoval and Madix, aiming to assign liability equitably.
Earlier, in February, Leviss accused the pair of several offences, including revenge porn and invasion of privacy, claiming Madix’s actions left her in fear of the explicit content being leaked.
Amidst the ongoing legal and media turmoil, Leviss has sought mental health treatment in Arizona.
