Wendy Williamsis in a legal fight with her bank.
The documents state that Wells Fargo currently has “several million dollars” of Williams' funds in its possession. The bank, in its filings to the court, said it froze the funds because “Wells Fargo has strong reason to believe that [Williams] is the victim of undue influence and financial exploitation.” It does not specify who or what is exploiting or unduly influencing Williams.
It says it reached that conclusion based on “reports of the financial advisor, who has recently witnessed telltale signs of exploitation, including [Williams]’s own expressed apprehensions.” It says it also relied on reports from “other independent third parties who know [Williams] well and share these concerns.”
Williams says in her filings that she fired Schiller as “her financial advisor due to Schiller’s malfeasance in relation to [Williams]’s accounts and Schiller’s improper conduct in relation to their professional relationship.” Nevertheless, she says, Wells Fargo wrongfully “continues to rely on Schiller’s advisement as support for its decision to deny [Williams] access to her financial assets and statements.”
Thus, the talk show host, who has been dealing with ongoing health issues, believes the bank “impeded and unlawfully prevented” her access to her finances. Because of this, Williams is asking the court to take immediate action to prevent the bank and those associated with Wells Fargo from “interfering with her right to access her financial assets and statements.”
If granted, this move would require Wells Fargo and others acting on its behalf to unfreeze Williams' accounts. If she continues to be denied access to her bank accounts, Williams says she “will be in default of several bill payments, including her mortgages, her marital settlement payment, and employee payroll” and will “continue to suffer imminent and irreparable harm.”
Wendy Williams.Michael Tran/FilmMagic
In a letter sent on Wednesday to New York County Supreme Court Judge Arlene Bluth, an attorney for Wells Fargo stated that the bank has “filed a petition … for the appointment of a guardian of the property of [Williams].” In the letter, attorney David H. Pikus referred to Williams as “incapacitated” and “the victim of undue influence and financial exploitation.” It does not specify who or what is exploiting or unduly influencing Williams.
Williams' attorney flatly denied those allegations.
Pikus requested that the court keep the proceedings “under seal” to “preserve the confidential nature” of Williams' personal information.
“Despite [Wells Fargo]’s assertion that its suspicions are genuine, their decision to deny [Williams] access to her financial assets for weeks without providing her or her counsel with adequate explanation or evidence to support its decision, and their decision to wait until [Williams] filed an emergency petition for a preliminary injunction before pursuing, or notifying [Williams] that it had pursued, a guardianship proceeding gives pause for concern about [Wells Fargo]’s intentions,” Williams' attorney said in a response letter.
Williams' attorney also reiterated the request that the bank be prohibited from continuing to freeze her funds until “a hearing be scheduled in an effort to resolve this matter as equitably and efficiently as possible for the benefit of both parties.”
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Williams' ongoing health issues resulted in the 13th season premiere of her namesake series,TheWendy WilliamsShow, being delayed twice.
She was first diagnosed witha breakthrough coronavirus casewhile continuing to endure Graves' diseases complications. As she later recovered from COVID-19, she delayed her return as she continued toface other health issues and remain under medical supervision.
In her absence, stars includingLeah Remini,Sherri Shepherd,Michael Rapaport,Whitney CummingsandJerry Springerstepped in as guest hosts.
A source told PEOPLE on Tuesday that Williams “won’t be returning to the showfor the rest of this season.”
“Her healing is going slower than everyone had hoped. She continues to deal with a number of medical issues, including Graves' disease, and she and her team are taking it one day at a time,” a source said. “But reports of a stroke, drugs or addiction issues or a dementia diagnosis are all false. Whether Wendy can return in the fall will depend on how her healing goes over the summer. Her health is the most important thing.”
TMZreported Tuesday that Shepherd, 54, will soon be named the show’s “permanent guest host.“Ratings soaredto a season-high when Shepherd first hosted in November 2021, and she’s since gone on toguest host on multiple multiple occasions.
“Sherri is thrilled to be invited back to guest host theWendy WilliamsShowthe week of February 21st,” a rep for Shepherd told PEOPLE. “No comment on these rumors.”
TheWendy WilliamsShowairs weekdays (check local listings).
source: people.com
