Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Oprah's Mom Vernita Lee Settles Valentina Suit

It took over a year to reach a settlement, but Oprah Winfrey's mother, Vernita Lee, has reached an agreement with Valentina Inc.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Oprah Winfrey's mother and the high-end fashion store that sued her over a $155,547 debt have settled the lawsuit.

Details of the settlement between Vernita Lee of Milwaukee and the store, Valentina Inc., have not been filed yet in Waukesha County Circuit Court.

When the settlement agreement is entered, it will remain secret. However, the deal involves Valentina receiving a partial payment for what it said it was owed.

"We're happy with what transpired. It's over," said Tony Chirchirillo, Valentina co-owner. "We can get on with our lives; they can get on with theirs."

Chirchirillo declined to release details of the settlement, as did his attorney, Joseph C. Niebler Sr. Michelle Schindler, one of the attorneys representing Lee, declined to comment Monday.

Judge Ralph Ramirez has scheduled the case for possible dismissal on Dec. 7.

Valentina, which had a store in Brookfield, sued Lee in July 2008, contending that she racked up a bill of $155,547.31 in purchases and interest as of July 1 of that year. She was required to make a minimum monthly payment of $2,000, the suit says.

Attorneys for Lee countered in court documents that Lee should not have to pay Valentina because the store extended credit despite knowing her troubles managing debt.

...Niebler said the settlement in the latest case was amicable and that neither side admitted any wrongdoing.

Valentina moved from the Brookfield location this year to Milwaukee's Third Ward and changed its name to Falcon. It also has a Valentina store in Mequon.

Partial payment?

Perhaps the interest was deducted.

In any event, the case was settled amicably and neither side admitted wrongdoing.

Everyone is happy!

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Related posts:
Oprah's Mother Vernita Lee and Valentina Inc.

Oprah's Mom Vernita Lee Countersues Valentina

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