Leah McSweeney’s Files Lawsuit Accusing Andy Cohen of Snorting Cocaine With Select ‘Housewives’
Leah McSweeney’s Files Lawsuit Accusing Andy Cohen of Snorting Cocaine With Select ‘Housewives’
A new lawsuit reveals a shocking portrayal of the internal culture at Bravo, Leah McSweeney, describing it as a problematic environment that “thrives off” hard drugs, promotes excessive alcohol consumption, and disregards sexually predatory actions.
In court papers submitted on Tuesday, former Real Housewives of New York star Leah McSweeney alleges that it’s widely known within the network that its leading figure, Andy Cohen, partakes in cocaine use alongside a select group of his favored “Real Housewives” and bestows professional perks upon those who double as his social companions.
Furthermore, the documents allege that the network is cognizant of a senior producer who, “routinely sends unsolicited pictures of [their] genitalia to lower-level … production employees,” yet, according to the claims, those in higher positions have taken no action to intervene.
These startling allegations are central to a lawsuit where Leah McSweeney, 41, accuses the network of exploiting her struggle with alcoholism. She alleges that Bravo either deliberately worsened her condition or hindered her efforts to seek assistance, all in a calculated effort to transform her distress into higher viewer ratings.
The fashion designer, known for her roles in two seasons of the flagship series, The Real Housewives of New York City, and one season of the spin-off The Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip, alleges that the network violated her employment rights. She claims that Bravo did not permit her to seek adequate treatment for her alcohol addiction despite being fully aware of her struggle.
Furthermore, McSweeney contends that producers “pressured her” to consume alcohol, fully knowing her intentions to quit.
This development follows closely on the heels of allegations from Brandi Glanville, another “Real Housewives” alum, who asserted in a legal document that Cohen, while “obviously inebriated,” sexually harassed her. She reported that Cohen expressed a desire to “sleep with another Bravo star” while “thinking” of Glanville and even suggested she join via FaceTime to observe. Cohen has admitted that his comment, though “meant in jest,” was “inappropriate.”
McSweeney’s legal action argues that Bravo operates within a culture deeply embedded in drug and alcohol consumption. The lawsuit highlights that Cohen, 55 — who serves as an executive producer for RHONY and RHUGT and hosts the late-night show Watch What Happens Live — is accused of consuming cocaine with the “Housewives” stars he employs. This behavior, according to the lawsuit, is a well-known aspect of Cohen’s interactions within the “Real Housewives” franchise.
The documents, submitted to the Southern District of New York, further assert:
“Cohen tends to provide the Housewives with whom he uses cocaine with more favorable treatment and [makes them appear more agreeably in] edits [of their shows].”
The lawsuit does not specify which “Housewives” cast members are involved.
According to the allegations made by McSweeney’s legal team:
“Cohen intentionally uses cocaine with his employees to further promote a workplace culture that thrives off drug and alcohol use, which leads to a failure to accommodate employees who are disabled and trying to stay substance free.”
The legal documents also highlight allegations against a producer from Shed Media, the production entity behind RHONY, RHUGT, and several other Real Housewives series. This individual is accused of “routinely sending unsolicited pictures of [their] genitalia to lower-level … production employees.”
Furthermore, the lawsuit criticizes Bravo and Shed Media for their handling of the situation, stating that despite being aware, or at least having the responsibility to be aware, of the producer’s sexually harassing behavior, they have nonetheless continued to promote this individual to higher positions of authority within the company.
These allegations are included in McSweeney’s lawsuit as her legal team argues in the court filings that Bravo and Shed Media’s inaction effectively communicates to the accused producer and all other employees that they can participate in illegal employment behaviors without facing consequences.
McSweeney, who was featured on The Real Housewives of New York City between 2020 and 2021 and later on RHUGT in 2023, has initiated legal action against Cohen, Bravo, Shed Media, and Warner Media, the parent company of Shed.
Back in 2017, Kathy Griffin, who was once close to Cohen and co-hosted CNN’s New Year’s Eve show with him, alleged that Cohen had offered her cocaine before her appearances on Watch What Happens Live on two distinct occasions.
Reacting to these claims, Cohen stated, “I am completely stunned by this story. It is 100% false and totally made up.”
As of now, Bravo, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Shed Media have not provided an immediate response to these allegations.
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Olivia Davis is a Staff Writer at All About The Tea. Olivia’s hobbies include binging Netflix series, and watching Housewives on Bravo. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in History.