Alexis Bellino & Jim Bellino “Have Been Advised To Take Legal Action” Against Tamra Barney

July 24, 2012 by Hollywoodite

Real Housewives of Orange County’s Alexis Bellino and her husband may sue co-star Tamra Barney for remarks made during the show and on Barney’s online blogs (some of those blogs were edited by Bravo although Barney republished her words elsewhere). Among other things, Barney called the Christian housewife “Jesus Jugs,” and a “faux Christian” who hid behind religion.

In response to one particularly unflattering blog, the one that was infamously edited recently, Bellino, 35, responded with her own post: “Jesus Jugs doesn’t just cross the line, it catapults over it. That comment has offended Christians everywhere. How does she decorate her home in crosses yet make a remark like that without an ounce of guilt? Then she is promoting Jesus Jugs wine glasses her Facebook page? So now it’s blasphemy along with defaming Jesus and monetizing on what He sacrificed for us.”

In response, Barney told RumorFix.com “Unlike Alexis, I don’t need to hide behind the Jesus curtain and I don’t feel the need to preach. someone is constantly preaching about something they are lying! Alexis and Jim are faux Christians, like her ring. Does she think Jesus would be proud of her for judging me as a Christian, and the crosses in my house? Jim Bellino used to take Peggy Tanous to strip clubs after church when they were dating!” Barney continued on Twitter:  ”I don’t hide behind the Jesus curtain because of my past like him! Strip clubs, selling fake sports memorabilia.”

And now the Bellinos have had enough. They are threatening to sue in this joint statement: ”The Real Housewives of Orange County is a reality show that is meant to entertain and engage audiences with the lives of its cast members. We recognize that the personalities, drama and conflict of the show attract fans to the popular Bravo reality series. Unfortunately, some cast members use the show as a platform for personal attacks and character assassination, perhaps out of personal insecurity or simply to inflict pain. To the extent possible, we try to ignore this behavior. Recently, however, that has become all but impossible. The escalation of Tamra Barney’s attacks has reached the level that we have been advised to take legal action. To be clear, Tamra’s most recent statements are completely false. While her motivation may be to elevate herself by hurting others, the law does provide boundaries outside of which even she may be held liable. This vicious and malicious attack on our family will no longer be tolerated. We have continually tried to take the high road, however, if necessary, we are prepared to defend ourselves against these unfounded, slanderous and defamatory remarks to the fullest extent of the law.”