Aussie Curtis Stone has vowed to take the stand to fight explosive accusations from his former nanny Melissa Talley, who claims she “feared for her safety” while working for him – something celebrity chef Curtis resolutely denies!
Months after Woman’s Day first reported that Curtis and his nanny were locked in a bitter battle, we can now reveal mediation between the pair has broken down and they will face off in court in July 2024, with Melissa refusing to step back from her accusations that she was treated “maliciously” and was “harassed” during her employment, claims filed in Los Angeles Superior Court reveal.
The celebrity chef also recently appeared on MasterChef Australia.
(Image: Getty)Our well-placed source says the legal teams couldn’t find any room for negotiation with Melissa, who claims she was unfairly treated throughout her tenure as Curtis’ au pair from January 2019.
The 47-year-old employed Melissa to look after his kids and do chores around Curtis’ $12 million LA mansion each weekday for nine hours for an annual salary of $96,000.
But Melissa says their agreement fell apart over a year later, as her working hours often exceeded the agreed nine-hour shift, and Curtis allegedly deducted an hour every day for her meal break.
When Melissa complained about her treatment, she claims she was initially rebuffed before he “summoned her to his office,” where he and another person demanded she sign a document and take a cheque for US$1000 ($1480).
Melissa refused and ran out, claiming the Aussie star followed her, and she was forced to sign the document “in fear of her own safety” – accusations Curtis denies.
Curtis and his wife Lindsay have relocated to California.
(Image: Getty)A jury trial has now been set for July 29 next year and all mediation has finished.
According to court documents, the judge has signed off on an order that neither party wants to carry on negotiating for either a settlement or mediation. Instead, both parties have demanded a jury trial.
The court document states, “Counsel represent private mediation has been held, but there was no resolution. The court notes both parties are requesting a jury trial.”
An insider close to the case says, “Curtis won’t budge on the allegations, he vehemently denies them, and to pay off the nanny now would potentially affect his reputation.
“Melissa is equally adamant that she’s experienced in her field and is usually treated very well, but feels Curtis was out of order.
“There’s no middle ground with no one giving an inch and both want to have their day in court.”
Melissa is seeking to be compensated for her overtime plus damages claiming that she has “suffered and continues to suffer humiliation, emotional distress and mental and physical pain and anguish.”A jury trial has now been set for July 29 next year and all mediation has finished.
According to court documents, the judge has signed off on an order that neither party wants to carry on negotiating for either a settlement or mediation. Instead, both parties have demanded a jury trial.
The court document states, “Counsel represent private mediation has been held, but there was no resolution. The court notes both parties are requesting a jury trial.”
The couple share two sons under the age of 12.
(Image: Getty)An insider close to the case says, “Curtis won’t budge on the allegations, he vehemently denies them, and to pay off the nanny now would potentially affect his reputation.
“Melissa is equally adamant that she’s experienced in her field and is usually treated very well, but feels Curtis was out of order.
“There’s no middle ground with no one giving an inch and both want to have their day in court.”
Melissa is seeking to be compensated for her overtime plus damages claiming that she has “suffered and continues to suffer humiliation, emotional distress and mental and physical pain and anguish.”
The case will be heard in court in July 2024.
(Image: Getty)The nanny is being represented by Frank Kim from Kim Legal in LA, who is a thorn in the side of A-listers who’ve allegedly broken employment laws. He’s suing Kanye West for not paying his employees.
Curtis’ legal team deny every single claim by Melissa and say his “actions were business decisions justified by legitimate business motives, purposes and reasons, and were made in good faith”.
Woman’s Day has reached out to Curtis for a comment about the case.
