In a counterclaim, the 'Modern Family' alum's attorney accuses Reside Custom Homes of trying to embarrass her as a 'public persona' with its November 2023 lawsuit.
- Jan 31, 2024
AceShowbiz - Sofia Vergara has breaking her silence on a lawsuit leveled at her by contractor who renovated her Los Angeles home. On behalf of the "Griselda" actress, her attorney Martin Singer called the lawsuit, filed by Reside Custom Homes, "a false narrative."
In the counterclaim obtained by PEOPLE, Singer added that the lawsuit was done to draw attention away from an alleged agreement breach. The lawyer also accused the contractor of trying to embarrass Vergara as a "public persona."
Singer additionally accused Reside Custom Homes of negligent construction on Vergara's home, leading to $5 million in damages as a result of delays, failure to make necessary repairs. It also allegedly ignored reports from an on-site representative James Idom, who was later removed from the project for pointing out the faulty work and overcharges.
The new document claimed that Vergara and Reside Custom Homes initially agreed to settle any disputes privately through arbitration. However, the latter decided to file a lawsuit against the "Modern Family" alum instead which was seen as a way to "publicize mischaracterized facts and pressure Vergara publicly."
In its November 27, 2023 complaint, Reside Custom Homes claimed that the actress failed to pay two bills for work completed on her Los Angeles mansion, which she purchased for about $26 million in 2020, totaling $1,700,492.64. It also accused the 51-year-old star of breach of contract, promissory fraud and intentional interference with contractual relations, among other claims.
At the time, Singer said in a statement, "My client made claims against the contractor, Reside, several months before this specious lawsuit was filed. Sofia Vergara's claims were for significant overcharging by Reside, substandard and negligent work, and long delays seeking damages in excess of $5 million." He added, "We are confident that my client will prevail in this dispute."
