Wendy Williams’ ex-husband, Kevin Hunter, filed a civil lawsuit against The Wendy Williams Show production company, Debmar-Mercury, for wrongful termination.
According to reports, Hunter filed his suit in a New York City federal court on Monday, Feb. 28. It stated that he was fired from the show “on the basis of his marital status which is barred by the New York City Human Rights Law.” It also said that he “suffered an economic loss, which will be determined by trial, in the range of seven to ten million dollars.”
The 49-year-old was allegedly fired from The Wendy Williams Show after Williams filed for divorce from him in April 2019. She reportedly filed following the news that Hunter’s alleged then-mistress, Sharina Hudson, was pregnant with his child. He claimed he was hired as one of the executive producers of the show in November 2007 and his suit said that his role made him contractually entitled to ten percent of “commission on revenues.”
Shortly after Williams filed for divorce in 2019, Hunter said, he received a letter from Debmar-Mercury saying he was terminated.
“Effective immediately, your role as Executive Producer of The Wendy Williams Show is terminated, and your professional relationship with Debmar-Mercury is also concluded,” the letter reportedly stated.
He said he fulfilled many responsibilities for the show, including helping with its branding and assisting with the development of popular segments such as “Hot Topics,” “Hot Seat,” and “Shoe Cam.” He also claimed that “the show never recovered from his firing.”
As of late, Hunter has been seeking $7 million in addition to punitive damages, legal fees, and lost wages, court documents said. His attorney, Abe George, wrote, in a statement, that the lawsuit was filed to ensure his client would be compensated for his contribution to the show–even in its current season and forthcoming reincarnation starring the new host, Sherri Shepherd.
“This lawsuit seeks to compensate Mr. Hunter for the sweat equity that he put into the show and that Debmar-Mercury will continue to profit on even in their new reincarnation of The Wendy Williams Show,” George said.
Sheperd has taken over the hit daytime program since October 2021, after Williams stepped away due to health complications from Graves Disease and her thyroid condition. She was also diagnosed with COVID-19 that year, which she announced via her Instagram page.
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On Wednesday, Dec. 8, it was announced, also via Instagram, that she would not be returning throughout January 2022, during season 13.
Recently, the talk show mogul has reportedly been in a legal battle with her bank, Wells Fargo, following their claim that she was an “incapacitated person” who needed temporary guardianship. They froze her assets and requested a hearing to determine if she needed a professional intervention.
