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Raquel Leviss, Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix.
Getty Images (3)Tom Sandoval sues Ariana Madix to access explicit videos from Rachel ‘Raquel’ Leviss on his cell phone without his ‘permission’.
According to court documents obtained exclusively by We weekly on Tuesday, July 16, Sandoval, 40, claims that Madix, 39, “gained access” to Sandoval’s phone on March 1, 2023, and reviewed videos of Sandoval and Leviss, 29, without his “authorization or consent.”
The video drama took place during Bravo’s season 9 finale Vanderpump Rules last year, when cameras picked up again to capture the aftermath of Madix, who had been in a relationship with Sandoval for nearly a decade, discovering images of Leviss on her then-boyfriend’s phone. (Madix and Sandoval subsequently called it quits over the affair, and Sandoval briefly dated Leviss until their split in May 2023.)
Sandoval’s filing alleges that Madix made “copies” of the video against his authority and distributed them to “Leviss and third parties.”
The cast of Vanderpump Rules is no stranger to controversy. The staff of Lisa Vanderpump’s West Hollywood restaurant SUR made their debut on Bravo in 2013 as part of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills spinoff. The season 1 cast included Vanderpump, Stassi Schroeder, Jax Taylor, Katie Maloney, Tom Sandoval, Kristen Doute and Scheana Shay. […]
Madix’s lawyer, Jordan Susmanresponded to Sandoval’s claims in a statement to Us on Tuesday.
“It is disgusting that Tom Sandoval continues to torment Ms. Madix. From engaging in an illicit affair that destroyed her home and stability, to months of emotional warfare and now this attempt to further avoid personal responsibility for the effects his actions have had on her and her emotional well-being. Tom Sandoval is well aware of the privileges he and Ms. Madix shared regarding their personal communications devices.
The statement continued: “If he or his mistress had their way, it would be illegal for anyone to discover that their spouse or partner was having an affair. That Mr. Sandoval went from begging Ms. Madix for forgiveness to blaming her for his misdeeds speaks for itself. Even months after the New York Times labeled Mr. Sandoval “the most hated man in America,” he has clearly learned nothing and believes it is necessary to continue torturing Ms. Madix in a vain attempt to rehabilitate his image. Ms. Madix is confident that a jury will see through this latest trick and reject his frivolous claims.”
Sandoval’s lawyer, Matthew Geragosthe brother of Leviss’ lawyer, Mark Geragoshas made a statement Us in the early hours of Wednesday 17 July.
“While Tom Sandoval accepts responsibility for his case, he strongly denies the allegations in the lawsuit brought against him and Ms. Madix by Rachel Leviss,” the statement said. “To ensure a fair and equitable determination of responsibility between all parties involved, we have filed a cross-complaint on behalf of Mr. Sandoval. This common legal action was critical to ensure that any liability is fairly apportioned based on each party’s actual degree of involvement and culpability. We strive to resolve this legal dispute with the utmost respect to all parties involved.”
Sandoval’s lawsuit against Madix comes after Leviss filed her own lawsuit against the exes on February 29, accusing them of wiretapping, revenge porn and invasion of privacy. Sandoval later contradicted Leviss in April, claiming her filing was “a thinly veiled attempt to… [Leviss’] fame and to rebrand himself as a victim.”
Several Vanderpump Rules stars have left the Bravo series over the years. Cameras began following the staff at Lisa Vanderpump’s West Hollywood restaurant SUR in 2012 after she rose to fame on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Season 1 of Pump Rules, which premiered in January 2013, starred Lisa, Stassi Schroeder, Jax […]
Later that month, Sandoval requested that Leviss’ lawsuit against him and Madix be dismissed or amended, according to court documents obtained by Us at the time.
Madix, meanwhile, filed her own countersuit against Leviss days later, claiming Leviss was trying to “punish” Ms. Madix and “blame it for the negative reaction.” [she] received as a result of her affair.”
Madix’s attorneys argued that she learned about Sandoval and Leviss’ affair “in the worst possible way” when she discovered the video of them “having phone sex.” Madix was “devastated” and “immediately confronted” Sandoval about the issue and told her friends about the “betrayal,” according to the documents. However, Madix claimed that she never shared “the video footage she found” with anyone other than Leviss.
Sandoval and Madix’s legal dramas extend to the shared home they are currently battling over. Last month, Us reported that the couple must settle their situation through private mediation or they will appear in court from February 17, 2026.
With reporting by Brody Brown and Sarah Jones