When Lisa Jackson accused Paula Deen of sexual harassment and racism the celebrity chef’s career started to crumble . Deen quickly lost sponsors and fans after she admitted to using the n-word in the past. Well, the celebrity chef won her court case today . Unfortunately, it looks like her reputation has already suffered a fatal hit.
ABC notes that the Food Network, Wal-Mart and QVC have all cut ties with Deen. The NY Daily News estimates that the celebrity cook lost more than $12 million after the scandal.
Deen won her court case today but that doesn’t mean that her sponsors will coming back to her.
The judge ruled in favor of Deen today but not because the celebrity chef is completely innocent. U.S. District Court Judge William T. Moore Jr. said that Lisa Jackson had no standing to file a discrimination claim against Deen because she is also white.
Moore Jr. writes : “There are no allegations that defendant Hiers’s racially offensive comments were either directed toward plaintiff or made with the intent to harass her.”
The sexual harassment claim is still pending.
Deen’s rep said in a statement that the celebrity chef was happy with the ruling.
The rep said: “We are pleased with the court’s ruling today that Lisa Jackson’s claims of race discrimination have been dismissed… As Ms. Deen has stated before, she is confident that those who truly know how she lives her life know that she believes in equal opportunity, kindness and fairness for everyone.”
Paula Deen may have won her court case today but the damage to her reputation has already been done. Do you think the celebrity chef will be able to rebuild empire?