Andy Cohen accused of unleashing 'coordinated attack' against Real Housewives star after drug allegations

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

Real Housewives Of New York City alumna Leah McSweeney is accusing Andy Cohen of launching a 'coordinated attack' against her in new lawsuit filings.
The 42-year-old McSweeney — who appeared on RHONY from 2020 to 2021 — filed a lawsuit against Cohen, 57, last February, alleging she was coerced to start drinking again even though she got sober, along with other harassment allegations.
A judge ruled in March 2025 that she may proceed with only a few parts of her lawsuit, while dismissing most of the claims.
A new motion for permission to amend her amended complaint claims that Cohen abused his power as the show's executive producer to 'direct or induce' several Bravo stars to 'claim that McSweeney is a liar' in the press.
DailyMail.com has not received a response to its requests for comment from Cohen's attorney and reps for Bravo and NBCUniversal at this time.
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The new papers, filed Wednesday in New York Supreme Court of New York, allege that Cohen's attack was in 'direct response' to her filing this lawsuit.
The filing adds Cohen 'either directly requested or induced current and former Real Housewives cast members' in an effort to 'publicly disparage McSweeney's character, and propensity for truthfulness.'
It lists more than 20 members of the Real Housewives franchise, including Luann de Lesseps, Kyle Richards, Melissa Gorga, Kandi Burruss and Dorinda Medley.
They would allegedly spread lies about McSweeney 'to curry favor with Cohen in the hopes that such favor would propel their entertainment careers,' according to the court filing.
The filing also notes Lisa Vanderpump's appearance on The Talk, in which she said, 'I'm on [Andy's] side.'
It also mentions Real Housewives of Orange County's Heather Dubrow, who said she was 'irritated' by the lawsuit and said she should be 'thanking' Bravo and not suing the network.
Real Housewives Of New Jersey's Margaret Josephs also said McSweeney's claims are meant 'to assassinate [Cohen's] character and that is disgusting.'
The filing alleges that none of those Bravolebrities would have made those comments without 'Cohen's direction and/or inducement.'
The filing adds Cohen, 'either directly requested or induced current and former Real Housewives cast members' in an effort to, 'publicly disparage McSweeney's character, and propensity for truthfulness'; Cohen is pictured May 12 in NYC
They would allegedly spread lies about McSweeney, 'to curry favor with Cohen in the hopes that such favor would propel their entertainment careers,' according to the court filing
According to court papers, it was previously reported that Cohen had done cocaine with some members of the Real Housewives franchise, and that he has given 'preferential treatment' to some of the stars. Cohen has denied any wrongdoing; pictured May 21 in Orlando, Florida
It was previously alleged in McSweeney's lawsuit that Cohen had done cocaine with some members of the Real Housewives franchise, and that he has given 'preferential treatment' to some of the stars.
Cohen, in turn, demanded that she retract those claims or he would sue for defamation, which McSweeney claims in the new filing was done in retaliation.
Cohen has denied any wrongdoing.
The filing alleges that two unnamed Housewives told her privately that he does use cocaine, while former RHOA star Nene Leakes called Cohen a 'cocaine head,' and his former friend Kathy Griffin also claimed he offered her cocaine once.
McSweeney's lawyer, Gary Adelman, said the new filing 'buttresses [her] retaliation claim.'
The attorney added, 'Leah looks forward to discovery and depositions which she expects will be very revealing.'