UPDATE, 3:40 PM: Tom Sandoval isn’t suing Ariana Madix after all in the fallout of Rachel Leviss‘ revenge porn lawsuit against her ex-Vanderpump Rules co-stars.

In a shift that would be both stupid and surprising in any situation not connected to the sordid Scandoval, the so-called “most hated man in America” has dropped his legal action against his former longterm girlfriend just under 48 hours after it was filed in LA Superior Court.

“I hope to get through this case quickly, so Ariana and I can both finally move on with our lives,” Sandoval added of Leviss’ suit, which is set for a November 2025 trial start.

In fact, giving VR fans who are suffering from the Bravo show’s hiatus a taste of that they love, Sandoval isn’t dropping the cross-compliant against Madix, he’s also canning his attorney.

As he posted online Thursday:

No word yet from Madix’s team on the latest sudden move in the Scandoval saga. If they do respond, this post will be updated

PREVIOUSLY, JULY 17 PM: As if Rachel Leviss’ trial-bound revenge porn lawsuit against Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix wasn’t enough of a renewed drenching in the sordidness of Vanderpump Rules‘ Scandoval, now Sandoval has turned his legal wrath on ex-longtime girlfriend Madix.

In a clear cross-complaint for cover as Leviss’ February-filed suit moves towards a jury trial next year, Sandoval is suing Madix over the sexual footage of Leviss that was revealed in Season 10 of the Bravo reality show. The now-estranged ex-couple are now warring over whether Madix “copied” and “distributed” the video of Leviss masturbating that was on Sandoval’s phone after the two had an affair.

“On or about March 1, 2023, Cross-Defendant MADIX obtained access to Cross-Complainant SANDOVAL’s cell phone and reviewed images, information, data, videos and/or communications (“DATA”) including, but not limited to, Facetime videos between LEVISS and SANDOVAL without SANDOVAL’s authorization or permission,” alleges the comparative indemnity and invasion of privacy July 16 filing in LA Superior Court. “SANDOVAL is informed and believes and thereon alleges that MADIX made copies of the DATA and distributed the DATA to LEVISS and third parties without SANDOVAL’s authorization or permission,” says the eight-page invasion-of-privacy suit against Madix filed by attorneys at the Geragos Law Group and the Gourjian Law Group.

It should be noted that what Sandoval is accusing Madix of is almost exactly what Leviss is accusing the duo of in her own suit.

In response to Tuesday’s filing, Madix’s lawyer accused Sandoval — labeled the “most hated man in America,” as the NYT called him earlier this year — of emotionally abusing his partner of nearly a decade.

“It is abhorrent that Tom Sandoval continues to torment Ms. Madix,” Jordon Susman told Deadline on Wednesday.

He added: “From engaging in an illicit affair that shattered her home and stability, to months of emotional warfare and now this attempt to further shirk personal responsibility for the effects his actions have had on her and her emotional wellbeing. Mr. Sandoval knows full well what sort of privileges he and Ms. Madix shared in regard to their personal communication devices. If he or his mistress had their way, it would be illegal for someone to discover their spouse or significant other was having an affair.”

“For Mr. Sandoval to go from begging Ms. Madix for forgiveness to blaming her for his wrongdoing speaks for itself,” Susman continues. “Even months after the New York Times branded Mr. Sandoval the most hated man in America, he has clearly learned nothing and believes it necessary to continue torturing Ms. Madix in a vain effort to rehabilitate his image.”

“Ms. Madix is confident that a jury will see through this latest ploy and dismiss his frivolous claims.”

Sandoval’s lawyers did not respond to request for comment. Leviss’ Bryan Freedman-led legal team also for once did not have anything to say. If either party do pipe up, this post will be updated.

Until then, Leviss’ trial against Sandoval and Madix for claims of revenge porn, eavesdropping and invasion of privacy is set to start on November 3, 2025. Whether the currently on hiatus Vanderpump Rules will be back by then to bring more Scandoval fallout is anyone but Andy Cohen’s guess.

US Weekly first reported Sandoval’s lawsuit.