THE Actual Housewives of New Jersey star Margaret Josephs and her husband Joe Benigno have been sued for $20,000 by their former accountant, The U.S. Solar has completely discovered.
Stephen B. Wetter, an authorized public accountant primarily based in New York and New Jersey, filed a grievance in a NJ courtroom on February 24 towards the RHONJ star and her husband.
Within the submitting obtained by The U.S. Solar, Stephen writes he was “retained by the defendants to organize monetary statements and associated tax returns [from 2008 until 2019, 2020].
“About three years in the past, they stopped paying me for work carried out.
“Ultimately, I ended working for them. They are saying they haven’t any cash, however I consider that is unfaithful.”
Stephen, who famous he’s representing himself, is demanding $15,000, plus $5,000 in authorized charges, so $20K complete.
MARGARET CLAPS BACK
On April 10, Margaret, 56, and Joe, 67, filed their responses to the lawsuit, denying Stephen carried out “items or providers” for them.
In addition they embrace a authorized letter despatched by The Rosenberg Legislation Agency of their argument.
The letter was despatched to the Bravo stars in January, warning them of a forthcoming lawsuit if they didn’t pay up.
The Josephs said that the letter was from Mr. Wetter and was “obtained to extort funds.”
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“There is no such thing as a such [law] agency, no legal professional identify, letterhead, handle, electronic mail,” they said within the exhibit.
Of their protection, in addition they embrace an official authorized letter from their private and enterprise accountant, who said that he took over their bookkeeping and taxes from 2018 till present.
A supply near the Actual Housewives star advised The U.S. Solar, “The lawsuit is totally absurd.
“It’s extremely suspect that he is popping out of the woodwork now.”
When reached for remark, a rep for Margaret identified the details talked about of their response and advised The U.S. Solar: “We’re assured that is going to be dismissed quickly as statements Stephen made are fully false.”
ACCOUNTANT SPEAKS OUT
Stephen, for his half, said his facet of the story, when contacted by The U.S. Solar.
He made it clear that this was “not a private factor” towards the Josephs and that it’s solely a “enterprise” matter.
“I did a number of work for them, for her firm, Macbeth, and different investments…I labored for Jan (Margaret’s late husband) and his brother.
“I’ve digital copies of tax returns and stuff that I ready, so she’s mendacity,” Stephen claimed.
“Margaret says she does not have any cash to pay me, but when I look her up on Google, it says she’s value $50million,” as additionally famous in The Rosenberg authorized letter included within the clothes designer’s exhibit.
A number of websites have said her reported web value is $5million.
Stephen went on to say that he and Joe have been “very shut buddies,” so it is “very disappointing” for him to need to get the courtroom concerned.
He even made an look on season 8 when Margaret’s mom, Marge Sr., went on a date with Stephen.
“I used to go to Christmas events on the home. We’d exit to dinner, we would have drinks, we obtained alongside very nicely.
“After which I’ve by no means heard from him once more,” Stephen mentioned.
The NJ-based accountant continued: “I have been in enterprise a very long time. I am very skilled. I by no means had to do that.
“Margaret’s been concerned in a number of lawsuits. You already know, she’s very litigious. They do not pay anyone.”
He added: “I’ve copies of a number of issues that have been despatched by the state of New Jersey- annual submitting charges.
“We’ll go to courtroom. That is no downside. We’ll see what occurs.”
The lawsuit is at the moment ongoing and a courtroom date has but to be set.