EXCLUSIVE: Jim Marchese Files Million Dollar Lawsuit Against Virgin America For False Imprisonment & Defamation

Former Real Housewives of New Jersey stars, Amber and Jim Marchese have filed a lawsuit against Virgin America airlines for false imprisonment and defamation following an incident in April. 

The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in Newark, New Jersey’s Federal Court. The complaint criteria is for damages $75,000 and above — and the Marchese‘s assert damages in excess of well beyond $10 million.

The reality couple, who are currently starring on WE tv’s Marriage Bootcamp Reality Stars, were removed from a Virgin America flight at Los Angeles International Airport, and Jim was taken into custody by airport police, for an alleged domestic assault, against his wife Amber. 

Airport police accused Marchese of threatening Amber and grabbing her throat. He was arrested, and later released on $50,000 bail. A few days later, Amber spoke out, defending her husband. Amber claimed that playful PDA was misunderstood, and that her husband is innocent. This week officials declined to press charges against Marchese.

Jim spoke to All About the Tea exclusively, and clarified that he was never charged with a crime in the incident.

“I wasn’t charged with anything so there were no charges to be dropped. The District Attorney and City Attorney both agreed there was no case due to a lack of evidence based on one 3rd party allegation. There were no witnesses to back the claims and Amber had no injuries.”

Jim has always maintained his innocence — asserting his and Amber‘s removal was based on a lie told by flight attendant, Moriah Rosser, of Las Vegas, Nevada. Jim claims he was targeted by the flight attendant because she did not like the character he played on Bravo’s Real Housewives of New Jersey reality show.

Jim outlined how the incident unfolded. Jim noted the flirtation with his wife, and a flight attendant appearing to offer them a drink. Amber ordered a glass of wine, but Jim  wanted to catch a nap. Ten minutes later and still on the tarmac, Marchese was awakened by officers. 

“My understanding is that flight attendant saw my arm around the back of Amber [during the PDA], and that where the accusation came from,” says Jim. “I don’t know definitely if it was [the flight attendant], but I assume it was her because she’s the only one who could notify the captain and call the police.”

Jim explains that the airport cops separated them, but kept the couple within eyeshot of each other, while they questioned them individually, about the incident. Jim told the airport officer that he didn’t know why he had been pulled from the flight. He also noted a frustrating communication barrier between himself and the airport official. Jim tells AllAboutTheTea.com,

“I was forced to mirandize myself because the airport cop couldn’t read English properly.”

Amber states that two other officers pushed her to admit that Jim had attacked her. 

“[An officer] says, ‘You’re not going anywhere until you’re tell me what happened,'” says Amber. “People are watching, it’s embarrassing and humiliating. I’m sitting there and say, ‘Officer, nothing happened.’ He bluntly says, ‘Why don’t you tell me how your husband attacked you.’”

Amber cites details about the ordeal, noting that she, the supposed victim,  was handcuffed when she tried to walk towards Jim. The airport police would not allow Amber to speak to her husband.

Jim and Amber were the breakout stars of Real Housewives of New Jersey season 6 and decided to walk away from show to pursue less toxic ventures. 

 

“Like” us on Facebook  “Follow” us on Twitter and on Instagram