Posts Tagged ‘gloria allred’

OK! Exclusive: Gloria Allred Rips Octomom Reality Show

April 7th, 2009

The Internet is abuzz with reports that Nadya "Octomom" Suleman has made a deal to star—along with her eight newborns and six other young kids, of course—in a reality show. OK! reached out to attorney Gloria Allred, who previously arranged for free in-home nursing care for Suleman only to have her offer rebuffed days later, to get her take on the news.

Speaking exclusively to OK!, Gloria said that when Angels in Waiting USA—the nursing organization she’d worked with to help Suleman—had visited the Octomom’s house, "it appeared to the nurses and myself that Nadya treated her babies as props and as part of a television set for those who were filming her."

According to Gloria, there are two very different Octomoms. "When the cameras were not rolling she was absent from the babies and the nurses for significant blocks of time and never volunteered to feed the babies herself," recalls the outspoken lawyer.

"She also asked AIW many times if they would agree that she could have a reality show. AIW is on record that they would not allow it because of the risk of infection from the presence of dirty cameras, audio equipment and electrical cords — and the concern for the emotional well-being of all of her children.

"Nadya now appears to be putting her money-making scheme of a reality show before, in my opinion, the best interests of her children. If she goes ahead with it she needs to spend less time looking for a man and more time mothering her 14 children."

Not surprisingly, Gloria believes that Nadya’s motives are off the mark. "If she is looking for men, she is looking for love in all the wrong places. Rather than doing a reality show, she needs to deal with the reality that she has 14 children (a number with special needs) who need her to be there with them to love them and be a real mother to them. That is the reality that she needs to face.

"Her children need a mother who will protect them and their privacy, not a mother who appears ready to auction off their privacy to the highest bidder."

By Patricia Ramos

Dr. Phil “Disappointed” About Octomom Nurse Firings

March 24th, 2009 / Author: OK! Staff

As <a href="http://www.okmagazine.com/news/view/12737/OctoMom-Fires-Free-Nurses" target="_blank">reported earlier today</a>, the <a href="http://okmagazine.com/search/Octomom" target="_blank"><strong>Octomom</strong></a>, Nadya Suleman, dismissed the free nursing care from Angels in Waiting USA that TV chatterbox Dr. Phil had helped to arrange only weeks earlier.

Now, not only is the good doc speaking out about the situation, he’s going to give Nadya two full days worth of on-air time to explain herself.

“I’m disappointed that the two parties could not find common ground to work together," Phil explains during the opener of the first show, which will air on Wednesday. "Now my concern for the 14 children continues to be my singular focus.”

Joining the show by phone, the oddball Octomom gives her reasoning behind kicking the Angels in Waiting folks to the curb.

“The primary issue was that myself [sic] and my nannies felt extremely uncomfortable," says Nadya. "I personally felt like a stranger in my own home. The goal was to empower me as a mother, help me, train me."

Of course, since she already had six children before giving birth to the litter of eight new ones, one might assume she’d already know a thing or two about being a mom. Apparently not.

"I wanted them [Angels in Waiting] to use their training and knowledge to help guide me. I felt that was never accomplished," adds the LocoMom. "I felt as though every time I tried to hold the babies, feed the babies, they would be observing and they were waiting for me to make a mistake.”

Never one to shy away from a headline herself, fame-loving attorney Gloria Allred,  who had helped arrange the deal with Angels in Waiting, felt the need to express her opinion. “I think the real reason that Nadya has not been able to continue with Angels in Waiting may be the fact that not one, but three reports had to be filed with Child Protective Service by Angels in Waiting [who] are mandated reporters under the law…
The whole point of Angels in Waiting, besides providing such high-quality care…was not to put the burden on the taxpayer, but that’s what Nadya and [her attorney] are doing. [They want] to shut everybody up…that’s wrong. I want to know what they are hiding and why.”

You can watch the sparks fly for yourself when the two-part episode of Dr. Phil begins on Wednesday and continues Thursday.

OctoMom Fires Free Nurses

March 24th, 2009

Octomom Nadya Suleman has reportedly replaced her free child care, nurses from the organization Angels in Waiting, with her own paid nannies, ostensibly over lingering bad feelings connected to Gloria Allred (who called Child Protective Services on her a few months back).

 

Angels in Waiting were to provide around-the-clock nursing services to help out the mother of 14 when her new octuplets all arrived home.

 

Initially, Nadya seemed ready to accept any help sent her way in light of the burden 14 children can bring on a single mother.

 

"Nadya realized that she had to make every effort to care for the octuplets as well as the 6 children at home in a way that proved that she understood the enormity and complexity of the task ahead," Dr. Phil McGraw said when the Angels plan was first revealed. "The plan in place, which could not have happened without attorney Gloria Allred and Angels in Waiting, affords all of the Suleman children a chance to grow and thrive. The childcare will be completely transparent, so that Kaiser Permanente and Child Protective Services will see that Nadya is seriously committed to her family."

OK! Exclusive: Octo-Granny Says Babies Are Staying Put

March 9th, 2009

Amid a whirlwind of rumors that the Octomom, aka Nadya Suleman, is preparing to give up custody of her octuplets, OK! has an exclusive interview with Nadya’s mother, "Octo-Granny" Angela Suleman, who reveals what the family’s plans are for the octuplets.

When asked if Nadya is giving up her controversial brood, Angela tells OK!, "Heck no! My daughter is not giving up the babies! Even if she couldn’t care for them — which she can — I would care for them. We would never give up custody to anyone."

Angela also vented to OK! about her daughter’s most recent publicist, "Victor" — who, incidentally, is the second spokesperson to quit and who openly described Nadya as "nuts."

"He’s a liar," she tells OK! exclusively. "He was never telling the truth. He didn’t have authorization to say half the things he said. Good riddance to him."

And Angela adds that she and her daughter have everything under control: "Besides, between the two of us, we’ve got it all worked out."

 

What Angela and Nadya most likely have worked out is a deal to accept in-home care from the non-profit agency Angels in Waiting. On Monday, it was announced that Nadya will appear on The Dr. Phil Show, airing March 10 and March 11, where she will accept the offer.

 

According to Linda Conforti West, CEO and founder of Angels in Waiting, the agency initially will be providing around-the-clock neonatal intensive care nurses who specialize in premature infants. Psychological and physical early therapies will also be provided to Suleman’s six older children.

"From the beginning, my interest in this story has been guided by my concern for these children," said Dr. Phil. "Nadya realized that she had to make every effort to care for the octuplets as well as the six children at home in a way that proved that she understood the enormity and complexity of the task ahead."

Angels in Waiting is a non-profit charitable organization. According to Suleman’s attorney, Gloria Allred, it will allow Suleman to keep her family together without the use of taxpayer money. The agency, however, is dependant on donations from the public and corporate sectors.

The services will start as soon as the octuplets are released from the hospital and will be reevaluated every six months.

Of the decision, Allred said, "I am delighted that Nadya understood that the offer from Angels in Waiting was made in the best interest of the children, and I am equally delighted that we could find a way to provide help and support so that she could remain in her own neighborhood."

Octomom’s Private Pow Wow with Dr. Phil

March 3rd, 2009

Since Octomom Nadya Suleman gave birth to octuplets, everyone and their mother has had something to say about it–including Dr. Phil McGraw.

But you knew he had to have an opinion, right?

E! News is reporting that Suleman met privately with Dr. Phil on Tuesday in a closed summit at his Beverly Hills home. Also present was famed attorney Gloria Allred.

The camera-ready Allred praised McGraw but declined to comment on what their meeting was about. There have been reports that Suleman is under investigation by the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services.

"All I can say is no comment, and it’s all about the babies," Allred told E! of the meeting. "If and when there is anything to say beyond that, definitely everyone will know."

Suleman, 33, sat down for a two-part, face-to-face interview on The Dr. Phil Show last week. While the purpose of today’s visit remains unclear, McGraw has been outwardly critical of the mother of 14, but reluctantly has supported the plight of her children, saying that there are no "other people to consider."

 

As for Allred’s involvement, Suleman rejected an offer of help made by the nonprofit group Angels in Waiting last month, which would have relied on public donations. Allred represented the group.

Allred also announced last month that she "quietly" submitted a complaint with Family Services asking for a probe into whether Suleman was able to care for her brood.

Rob Lowe and Wife Face On-Cam Depositions

April 18th, 2008

Rob Lowe’s "nanny-gate" saga continues to get uglier and uglier.
On Friday, the actor’s former nanny, Jessica Gibson, announced through her attorney, Gloria Allred, that she is demanding video-taped depositions from both Lowe and his wife, Sheryl.

Allred told E! News she is going to "turn the screws" during the depositions.

"I’m sure some of the questions will make him and his wife uncomfortable, but our job is to get to the truth," she said. "They are going to have to sit down, and we are going to have a lot of tough questions for them."

 

Depositions are set for May19-20 in Santa Barbara, where the Lowes live. Rob and his wife have repeatedly denied sexual harassment allegations made by Gibson and has, in turn, accused her of extortion.

 

"They are going to have to answer questions under oath," Allred continues, "I’m looking forward to sitting eye to eye with the Lowes, because Jessica has nothing to hide."

 

Gibson maintains she quit working for the actor and his wife three times after having been their nanny for more than seven years, but went back each time because she loved the kids, but ultimately could not "take it anymore."


"She went back because she hoped things would get better, she needed the job, and she loved the children," said Allred.

The couple’s suit, filed April 7, claimed Gibson demanded $1.5 million in exchange for not going public with "a vicious laundry list of false terribles."

As for Gibson, Allred says her 24-year-old client is at home and dealing with the public scrutiny as best as she can.

"This a very painful time for her, a difficult and challenging time, but she is trying to hold up as best as she can," Allred tells E! "This a shocking turn of events for her. But she is not going to be intimidated."

Is Tony Telling Lies About Britney?

September 24th, 2007

Britney Spears’ former bodyguard, Tony Barretto, went on a full-fledged media tour this weekend, culminating in a Today show appearance on Monday, telling “Toxic” tales of his former client’s supposed drug-abusing ways.

The robust protector, who worked for Britney for two months following her rehab exit in March, insists he’s coming clean for the sake of Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1, but his intentions appear to be more shady than Britney’s behind-the-scenes shenanigans.

"If they were truly in danger, he should’ve spoken immediately and to the authorities, not later and to the media, so that makes me question the veracity of his claims,” Judge Lynn Toler of the MyNetwork program Decision House tells OK!. “If he knew something was going on and he was protecting Britney, I mean, gee, what does that say. But as far as credibility is concerned, the lateness and the parties to whom he speaks really belies credibility.”

For such serious matters concerning the children’s safety — especially that of babies — Tony should have turned to a more suitable and effective place, such as a child care agency, if he truly wanted to make a difference. “[The media] can’t do anything about it, but the court can and they would do so immediately. I don’t see how he’s helping now.”

The claims also comes courtesy of the man himself and his attorney Gloria Allred despite the fact that his court declaration was sealed. Judge Toler surmises that the court hasn’t lifted the ban, meaning Tony could be violating court orders and possibly a nondisclosure agreement between he and Britney as well.

“The fact that he’s talking doesn’t mean that he’s allowed to,” she says. “If he’s talking and the judge has ordered him not to, he’s always subject to a contempt of court charge. He can go to jail or get fined for that. If he’s talking when there’s a nondisclosure agreement, there are usually economic consequences. So just because he’s talking doesn’t mean anything’s changed.”

While it remains unknown, chances are the troubled pop star did have a nondisclosure agreement with Tony because “it’s the celebrity’s job to do it and it has to be done well so it covers all eventualities, but I would say 99 percent of them do.”

 

The 25-year-old has yet to respond or debunk her ex-human shield’s allegations and the lack of denial is a good thing because a public verbal battle will do nothing to help her cause.

“I would imagine her attorneys are telling her not to say anything,” Judge Toler says, adding that she would advise Britney of the same. “What good would it do? She will do all of her proving, all of her talking in court. [Not responding] probably diminishes her in the public eye because people want to know that, but the people in court know the difference between publicity and evidence.”

Evidence.

Tony’s going to need a lot of it if he wants his claims to make a dent in the custody case. Right now, it’s just his word, which isn’t enough to take the singer down, Judge Toler explains. If Britney fails her court-ordered drug tests and/or more people make the same accusations, then Kevin Federline might want to stock up on more Pampers.

“The court’s going to want more than somebody’s word. One person isn’t enough because that’s a heavy charge and that weighs so heavily in the best interests of the children. That’s a choice the courts have to make, and they don’t take those kind of decisions lightly.”

Still, even if the claims are proven to be true, it won’t be “game over” for Britney yet.

“It’s not determinative,” Judge Toler says. If she’s found to be a habitual drinker, that’s not the end of the inquiry, although that weighs heavily on K-Fed’s side. It’s a big one, but it’s not the last question. It is something that she has to overcome. She has to respond to that immediately if in fact that finding is made and say, ‘I’m changing. I’m dealing with it. I’m getting over it.’ But that’s not the final word. It’s a big part of the pie.”

By Joyce Eng

Brit’s Bodyguard: Witness or Disgruntled Employee?

September 17th, 2007

As she marched out of the courthouse, Laura Wasser told OK! that celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred’s secret witness — Brit’s former, terminated bodyguard Tony Barretto, 28, was a "disgruntled employee" who was "not a credible witness."

Wasser added: "Britney’s fine. She’s staying home with the boys right now."

Allred appeared outside the courthouse moments later with Barretto and his wife, Isabelle, at his side. "Today, we came to court with a key and secret witness in the Britney Spears/Kevin Federline custody battle," Allred said. "Our client Tony Barretto was employed as a bodyguard for Ms. Spears from the time that she came out of rehab until May 17, 2007.

"During that time he was in her home on a full-time basis. He drove Ms. Spears to various appointments and observed her behavior inside of her home, outside of her home and around her children.

"During that time he became very concerned about the children and their safety.

"Though he was reluctant to come forward and become embroiled in her custody dispute, he decided to do so because of his concern about the safety and well-being of the children. He is a father of young children himself."

Barretto’s wife, Isabelle, was by his side during the press conference. "She’s here to support her husband," Allred said.

"We appeared with our client this morning, who was prepared to testify and be cross-examined under oath on his declaration, which was filed with the court and received as evidence in this case.

"We are shocked that Ms. Spears’ attorneys chose not to cross-examine our client as to the substance of his declaration.

"Our client was prepared to testify on issues of nudity by Ms. Spears, drug use and safety issues involving the children post-rehab.

"Since neither the court nor Mr. Spears’ attorneys chose to examine our client from the witness stand regarding the particulars of his highly explosive and relevant declaration, it stands unrefuted and unchallenged.

"We would hope that the court will make interim orders that would protect the children.

"We have spoken to county counsel for Child Protective Services about our client’s concerns for the children and have discussed the next step that we will take, though we are not in position to reveal that as this time."

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