Claudia Jordan has filed a lawsuit against an alcohol company she formerly endorsed, claiming she was fired in 2018 because she supported the Black Lives Matter movement.
TMZ, which obtained the lawsuit, reports that the former "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star partnered with Biagio Cru and Estate Wines back in 2016 to promote Just Peachy in return for a small ownership stake and small percentage of the company's earnings.
The company, Claudia says, became an immediate success following her involvement, and she claims her name became synonymous with the brand. However, she says Biagio first tried to fire her in 2018 after she posted on social media about condemning police brutality against Black men and women. The company, she says, even commented that her views were "too slanted."
In the breach of contract lawsuit, she alleges that Biagio cut her off and stopped sending her financial statements. The brand, she argues, continues to use her likeness for Just Peachy although they never entered into an ownership deal.
Biagio acknowledges that they parted ways with the former reality TV star but denies that the parting of ways had anything to do with her stance on social justice issues. They argue that they terminated the partnership for "legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons; namely, dissatisfaction with Ms. Jordan's ability to boost sales in relevant markets."
Biagio added that they will "vigorously defend against the false claims asserted by Ms. Jordan and will pursue any and all appropriate legal actions associated with false and defamatory statements published by Ms. Jordan."
Claudia, TMZ notes, is asking for "hundreds of thousands or more in damages."