Attorneys representing Tom Sandoval have filed court documents requesting the dismissal or amendment of Rachel “Raquel” Leviss’ revenge porn lawsuit against him. The documents argue that the lawsuit is an attempt by Leviss to extend her fame and portray herself as a victim, while denigrating her former friend Ariana Madix and Sandoval. The public drama between Leviss and Sandoval has been ongoing since last year on Bravo’s Vanderpump Rules, originating from an incident where Madix discovered explicit videos of Leviss on Sandoval’s phone while they were dating.
Leviss filed the lawsuit in February 2024, accusing Sandoval and Madix of eavesdropping, revenge porn, and invasion of privacy. Sandoval’s legal team aims to discredit these claims, stating that the videos in question were consensually exchanged between Leviss and Sandoval on Facetime, and Sandoval merely saved private copies of them.
The court documents also mention Leviss’ podcast, “Rachel Goes Rogue,” alleging that it is used to manipulate the narrative in her favor. Leviss has added non-parties like Bravo, VPR costar Scheana Shay, and Andy Cohen to her lawsuit, claiming persecution by them.
Leviss has expressed that taking legal action was a difficult decision for her, emphasizing that her privacy was violated in an intimate and embarrassing manner. She disclosed spending time in a mental health treatment facility due to the fallout from the situation, feeling humiliated and villainized in the public eye.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, Leviss has been vocal about her experience on her podcast but refrains from commenting extensively on the lawsuit publicly. The lawsuit, which Leviss describes as a civil case rather than criminal, highlights the impact of the violation of her privacy on her personal and professional life.
Vanderpump Rules continues to air on Bravo, showcasing the complexities of the relationships and conflicts among the cast members.
