Celebrity chef Curtis Stone to face-off in court against his former nanny
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.
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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.
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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.
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“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.
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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.
