Shannon Beador and John Janssen Reach Settlement in $75K Lawsuit
Shannon Beador and John Janssen Reach Settlement in $75K Lawsuit
After months of public back-and-forth, Real Housewives of Orange County star Shannon Beador and her ex-boyfriend John Janssen have reached a settlement in their $75,000 legal dispute.
According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, a “Notice of Settlement of Entire Case” was filed on Nov. 15, signaling an end to the contentious case that’s been heavily discussed both on-screen and off.
Case Closed: What We Know About the Settlement
The legal battle began in April when Janssen sued Beador, claiming he had loaned her $75,000 during their relationship, including funds for a facelift. Beador had repeatedly denied the allegations, insisting the money was a gift.
Though the specific terms of the settlement remain unclear, Janssen indicated in the recent filing that the dismissal of the case would be “unconditional” and finalized within 45 days. This resolution comes just one week after both parties requested a jury trial and expressed openness to a settlement conference.
RHOC Reunion Drama: A Loan or a Gift?
The lawsuit has been a central topic on season 18 of *RHOC* and was addressed extensively during the reunion episodes that aired earlier this month. Beador revealed that she had offered Janssen $70,000 in exchange for a mutual non-disparagement agreement, which he declined.
“I said, ‘Let’s sign a non-disparagement agreement. I’ll give you $70,000,’” Beador explained at the reunion. “He didn’t want that. He wanted the full amount.”
Janssen’s fiancée, Alexis Bellino, who is a “friend of” this season, defended his refusal, citing his need to defend himself publicly due to the attention surrounding the case.
Throughout the season, Beador’s castmates, including Emily Simpson, Tamra Judge, and Heather Dubrow, questioned the nature of the $75,000 transaction. While Beador initially insisted the money was a gift, she later admitted there had been discussions about it being a loan.
“I did need money at the time,” Beador confessed during a cast trip. “He said, ‘I wish you could get a low-interest loan,’ and I go, ‘Well you have money.’”
Simpson, a lawyer, pressed Beador on whether there were any written communications confirming the transaction as a loan.
“There is one a few days after the promissory note,” Beador reluctantly admitted, shocking her castmates.
John Janssen Speaks Out
Janssen made a rare on-camera appearance this season to share his side of the story. In a confessional alongside Bellino, he claimed that he filed the lawsuit to avoid missing the statute of limitations.
“I didn’t want to take legal action, but my hands were tied,” Janssen explained. “Shannon 100% knew these were loans. I have proof of that. Shannon sent me an email admitting it was a loan, so the comments about these being gifts are patently false.”
Janssen also criticized Beador’s honesty, adding:
“Shannon has an interesting relationship with the truth.”
What’s Next for Shannon and John?
With the case now settled, the legal drama appears to be over, but the fallout will likely remain a hot topic among RHOC fans. The dispute shed light on the complexities of Beador and Janssen’s post-breakup relationship and provided plenty of fodder for her castmates to dissect throughout the season.
As Real Housewives of Orange County season 18 continues to unfold, viewers can expect more revelations about the former couple’s tumultuous relationship and how the settlement impacts their dynamic moving forward.
Tune in to The Real Housewives of Orange County, Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.
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Raissa Asunbo is a Content Editor at All About The Tea. She lives in Toronto, Canada and enjoys reading, watching movies, traveling and spending time with her family.