EXCLUSIVE: Kandi Burruss Defamation Countersuit Approved By Judge — Read Johnnie Winston’s Termination & Non-Disclosure Papers!

If you’re going to say something about Real Housewives of Atlanta star, Kandi Burruss, it better be true!

On Tuesday, a judge approved Kandi Burruss-Tucker‘s defamation countersuit against former employee, Johnnie Winston III.

Despite Winston‘s attempt to get his former employer’s countersuit dismissed, the judge found Burruss‘ counterclaims against Winston to have merit, therefore the opposing lawsuit is moving forward. The countersuit claims,

“Mr. Winston made the false statements with actual malice as Mr. Winston made the statements knowing their falsity or with reckless disregard for their falsehood.”

Burruss‘ claim is that Winston breached a non-disclosure agreement between both parties when he made statements on The Real Housewives of Atlanta claiming that he was unsatisfied with his pay. He insists he had not been paid for overtime work, and Burruss stole his ideas for both a play, ‘A Mother’s Love,’ and a her Old Lady Gang restaurant.

The formal complaint filed by Winston states, “failure to pay overtime and minimum wage in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.”

While employed with Burruss‘ company — Winston held positions as studio manager, event planner and production coordinator from August 3, 2013 to February 29, 2016. He claims Burruss failed to pay him wages for time spent working in the recording studio, planning events, running errands, preparing meals for events, performing handyman and housekeeping duties, attending meetings, and more.

Kandi denies all of Winston‘s allegations outlined in the federal complaint on the grounds that, her former employee, was an independent contractor, who signed a non-disclosure agreement and was fully compensated for time worked and services provided to Kandi Koated Entertainment. According to court documents,

“In a RHOA episode that aired on March 26, 2017, Mr. Winston again appeared on air with Ms. Parks as well as one of his current attorneys in the present suit, Oscar Prioleau, Jr. (“Mr. Prioleau”). Mr. Priloeau stated that his understanding was that Mr. Winston had two issues. The first issue was that Mr. Winston feels as though he had not been compensated for the hours that he worked. The second issue had to do with ‘some agreements that you made with your former employer and that agreement has not been adhered to.’ Mr. Winston responded that Mr. Priloeau was correct. Mr. Winston further states: “In March of 2015, they were asking me what were some alternate things that I wanted to do. And I talked about the restaurant. Kandi thought it was a good idea because she said she’s always looking for something to invest in.”

“Mr. Priloeau then asked Mr. Winston if he asked Ms. Burruss-Tucker to invest in the restaurant, to which Mr. Winston replied: “I asked her if she would be a silent partner. I did ask her that. She said that she would and I didn’t hear anything else about it. 8 months later- ‘Oh well me and Todd are going to open up a restaurant.’ The concept was the same exact concept that I told them.”

“Later during the on-air discussion between Ms. Parks and Mr. Priloeau, Mr. Winston stated: “This isn’t the first time that an idea has been ripped off. Just like the play A Mother’s Love. I came up with the whole concept of the play and they ran with it.”

Additionally, Burruss asserts that her former employee never communicated his unhappiness regarding his compensation, until August 2016 on the Bravo reality show.

Below is a copy of the non-disclosure agreement Johnnie signed in 2012. According to the valid enforceable contract, he agreed not to bring any legal claims or slander against Burruss and her businesses.

Burruss claims that Winston‘s defamatory allegations, “were calculated,” to injure her, “professional reputation and businesses,” per court documents.

Read Winston‘s termination doc below. He signed the legal document when he was fired from Kandi Koated Entertainment in April 2015.

The Grammy winning song-writer is pushing for a jury trial and is seeking punitive or exemplary damages — in an amount to be determined at trial. According to AllAboutTheTea.com’s research, the amount which may be awarded in this court is limited to a maximum of $250,000.00.

This case is not looking good for Johnnie and he may end up owing The Real Housewives of Atlanta star big time! Stay tuned.

 

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