She’s never been with multiple partners, and she’s never abused the elderly! Allegedly. Vicki Gunvalson is clapping back at claims of financial elder abuse and wants the world to know that she’s innocent.
The Real Housewives of Orange County star made headlines after getting slapped with a lawsuit by a 74-year-old woman named Diane Fields. Diane said that she went to Vicki for financial advice and wound up getting swindled into pricy life insurance policies. Now, Vicki and her legal team are working overtime to protect her reputation.
Vicki denied any wrongdoing
In Diane’s lawsuit, she said she first started dealing with Vicki in 2019. At the time, she had a $6 million fortune and a sick husband, so she wanted some support. However, she felt like Vicki took advantage of her vulnerable situation.
In a statement issued to In Touch, Vicki’s legal team completely shut down those claims. Although this isn’t the first time an elderly person felt defrauded by her company, Vicki’s legal team said that her reputation speaks for itself.
“Victoria Gunvalson is a well-respected insurance broker with more than 34 years of experience,” her lawyers told the outlet. “She has helped more than 7000 clients. She vehemently denies each and every allegation set forth against her by Diane Field in this lawsuit.”
According to Diane, Vicki and her team employed “fraudulent sales tactics.” Then, as her husband’s health deteriorated, she felt like her “hands were tied.” The situation worsened as the years continued. Meanwhile, Vicki says that she was just doing what her client asked.
“Ms. Gunvalson followed the direction of her client, Diane Field, in placing the insurance products Ms. Field requested regarding the annuities and the life insurance policy. Ms. Gunvalson did not engage in any conduct that could be considered financial elder abuse, breach of fiduciary duty, or fraud,” her legal team claimed.
The case is still up in the air, but Vicki and her legal team have vowed to slap down all of Diane’s claims. Their goal is to defend Vicki’s reputation and protect her “good name.” After all, her business could be on the line.