Celebrity News August 13, 2013
Judge Dismisses Racial Discrimination Charge in Paula Deen Case
A charge of racial discrimination against disgraced celebrity chef Paula Deen has been dropped. According to CNN, a federal judge called Deen's former employee an “accidental” victim, at best, because she is white.
The beleaguered Food Network personality saw her cooking empire begin to crumble in June after Lisa Jackson accused her (and her brother Bubba Hiers) of making racial slurs, sexual harassment and abusive treatment.
U.S. District Judge William T. Moore Jr. decided to dismiss the racial discrimination charge, saying, “At best, plaintiff is an accidental victim of the alleged racial discrimination.” The other aspects of the lawsuits are still pending.
"We are pleased with the Court's ruling today that Lisa Jackson's claims of race discrimination have been dismissed," Deen's representatives said in a statement to CNN. "As Ms. Deen has stated before, she is confident that those who truly know how she lives her life know that she believes in equal opportunity, kindness and fairness for everyone."
