Summary
- Andy Cohen's alleged substance abuse and inappropriate behavior with Real Housewives contestants is causing concern in the industry.
- Former stars like Leah McSweeney claim Cohen used cocaine with employees, fostering a culture of drug use at work.
- Cohen has faced similar accusations in the past, with claims of offering cocaine to Kathy Griffin and facing sexual harassment allegations.
Andy Cohen’s reputation has already been tarnished by the toxic workplace claims that came out last year. But now new allegations are coming out against the television host and producer by former Real Housewives star Leah McSweeney, who accuses Cohen of substance abuse as well as sexually inappropriate behavior.
In recent court filings submitted on Tuesday by the ex-reality star, it’s alleged to have been common knowledge within certain circles that Andy Cohen abused cocaine alongside a select group of his favored Real Housewives personalities. He also allegedly engaged in the same substance abuse with some of his staff members.
Cohen Has Been Accused Of Substance Abuse Before
“Cohen intentionally uses cocaine with his employees to further promote a workplace culture that thrives off drug and alcohol use, which leads to a failure to accommodate employees who are disabled and trying to stay substance free,” the documents state.
Additionally, the legal documents assert that Bravo (which produces the Real Housewives shows) have been made aware of another senior producer's inappropriate behavior, including the unsolicited sharing of explicit images with subordinate production staff.
These aren’t the first accusations of this nature to be levied against Cohen. In 2017, Kathy Griffin, a former friend of his and co-host of CNN's New Year's Eve broadcast, alleged that Andy had offered her cocaine on two distinct occasions before her appearances on Watch What Happens Live. Andy denied Griffin’s assertions.
Despite Leah’s new claims, her filing suggests that higher-ups have so far failed to take any corrective action to address these concerning allegations.
Multiple Housewives Have Accused Cohen Of Inappropriate Behavior
The allegations are part of Sweeney’s larger argument and lawsuit against Bravo, which she claims exploited her struggles with alcohol addiction for the sake of ratings, saying she was “pressured” to consume alcohol against her will by producers.
McSweeney, a fashion designer who graced two seasons of the flagship show The Real Housewives of New York City and one season of its spin-off The Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip, contends that the network's actions violated her rights under employment law, depriving her of the opportunity to seek proper treatment for her addiction despite their awareness of the issue.
Leah is hoping to win an unspecified amount in damages, should her lawsuit be successful. Cohen’s rep released a brief statement simply to deny the allegations made in the lawsuit., saying, “The claims against Andy are completely false.”
Unfortunately, these aren’t the only toxic workplace and sexually inappropriate behaviour accusations to be levied against Cohen, giving credence to the ongoing lawsuit.
Leah’s lawsuit was filed mere days after another Real Housewives personality, Brandi Glanville, penned a legal letter asserting that Cohen sexually harassed her. Glanville alleges that Andry, whom she described as "obviously inebriated," made advances toward her by expressing a desire to "sleep with another Bravo star" while "thinking" of her, and even invited her to observe via FaceTime. Cohen has denied the allegations, saying whatever comments he made in the moment were meant “in jest.”
Cohen is best known as a television executive and host, recognized for his contributions to reality television. He rose to prominence as the executive producer of the Real Housewives franchise, which debuted in 2006. He also gained fame as the host of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, which premiered in 2009.
