The cover band frontman takes legal action against his ex-girlfriend and 'Vanderpump Rules' co-star, accusing her of accessing explicit videos of Rachel Leviss without authorization.
- July 18, 2024
AceShowbiz - "Vanderpump Rules" star Tom Sandoval, 40, has filed a lawsuit against ex-girlfriend Ariana Madix, 39, alleging that she accessed explicit videos of Rachel Leviss (Raquel Leviss), 29, on his phone without his permission. According to court documents obtained by Us Weekly, Sandoval claims that Madix obtained access to his phone on March 1, 2023, and viewed videos of him and Leviss without his "authorization or permission."
Sandoval further alleges that Madix "made copies" of the video and distributed it to Leviss and others without his consent. The scandal stems from the explosive season 9 finale of Bravo's Vanderpump Rules last year, where cameras captured Madix discovering the explicit footage on Sandoval's phone.
Madix's attorney, Jordan Susman, responded in a statement, calling Sandoval's claims "abhorrent" and accusing him of continuing to "torment" his ex-girlfriend. Susman highlighted Madix's emotional distress and stated that she is confident a jury will dismiss Sandoval's "frivolous claims."
Sandoval's lawsuit comes after Leviss herself sued Sandoval and Madix in February 2023 for "revenge porn, eavesdropping, and invasion of privacy." Leviss accused Sandoval of violating California's Revenge Porn law by recording explicit FaceTime conversations without her consent.
Sandoval responded to Leviss's lawsuit with a countersuit, claiming that Leviss's allegations were "a thinly veiled attempt to extend [Leviss'] fame and to rebrand herself as the victim." He has asked for the case to be dismissed or amended.
In a statement provided to Us Weekly, Sandoval's attorney, Matthew Geragos, said that while Sandoval accepts responsibility for his affair with Leviss, he "strongly denies" the allegations in Leviss's lawsuit. Geragos stated that the cross complaint was filed to ensure that liability is fairly distributed based on the involvement and fault of each party.
The legal drama surrounding the "Vanderpump Rules" cast has resulted in several stars leaving the franchise. Sandoval and Madix are currently facing a separate legal battle over their shared home, which must be settled through private mediation or they will go to trial in 2026.
