INQUISITR.COM / Entertainment

Mischa Barton Sues Mother On Allegations Of Stealing, Exploitation, And ‘Instances Of Bullying’

By Pam Wright
Published on: 23:48 PST, Apr 11, 2015

Mischa Barton is suing her mother, Nuala Barton, claiming that her mom routinely stole money from her and used her name for profit.

According to documents obtained by the Hollywood Reporter from the Los Angeles Superior Court, Mischa Barton is alleging her mother has not acted in her best interest.

“This action arises from the tragic tale of a greedy stage mother posing as a talent manager who, instead of acting in the best interest of her daughter/client, schemed to defraud her unsuspecting victim”

The 29-year-old actress claims Nuala Barton, who began acting as Mischa’s manager when she was only 8-years-old, “had absolutely no experience or training” in talent management. She also alleges that her mother had sole control of the O.C. alum’s finances and “doled out an ‘allowance’ to Barton at her sole discretion and on a sporadic basis.”

According to the documents, Mischa’s decision to purchase a $7.8 million home in 2006 came at the urging of her mother, who convinced the actress it “would be a vehicle for which Barton could invest her growing income for acting services.” However, Nuala placed herself on the deed of the property as half-owner and now lives there with Barton’s father, Paul, and apparently prevents Mischa from visiting her own home.

The complaint further alleges that Nuala lied about Mischa’s compensation for her role in the horror film The Hoarder “so that she could pocket the difference — on top of her hefty management fee — all without Barton’s knowledge.”

“Nuala currently refuses to provide Barton with any of the funds she earned (and continues to earn in the form of residual payments) for her acting, modeling and endorsement services.”

The document claims Nuala Barton is a “greedy stage mother… who schemed to defraud her unsuspecting victim” to exploit her daughter’s career “for her own selfish benefit.”

“We brought this action on behalf of our client Mischa Barton against Nuala Barton so that Mischa can get closure to move on with her career and to get to the bottom of what happened to all of her money,” Barton’s attorney, Alex Weingarten, told ABC News Wednesday.

There are other disturbing allegations made against Nuala Barton.

“These revelations of exploitation and fraud, coupled with ongoing instances of bullying and verbal abuse, eventually led to the breakdown of Barton and Nuala’s personal and professional relationship.”

According to THR, Nuala’s attorney Lawrence Ecoff of Ecoff Landsberg said neither he nor Nuala has received the complaint, and they declined to comment.

[Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images]

Share this article: Mischa Barton Sues Mother On Allegations Of Stealing, Exploitation, And ‘Instances Of Bullying’
mischa barton The O.C.
More from Inquisitr