Oprah Winfrey's Mom Sued For Owing $155K To Clothing Store

by **J The Kidd** Thu Sep 04, 2008 6:22 pm

Oprah Winfrey's mother, Vernita Lee, is being sued by a high-end fashion store over a past due bill of more than $150,000.

According to the civil complaint (obtained by Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel), Lee, a Milwaukee resident, has had an open-ended charge
account with Valentina Inc. since January 2004.

As of July 1, she has racked up a bill of $155,547.31 in purchases and
interest, according to the complaint. (Lee was required to make a
minimum monthly payment of $2,000 to the store, the paper reports.)

Valentina attorney Joseph Niebler, Sr., told the Sentinel that at some point Lee stopped making the monthly payments.

He added that the store had tried to resolve the bill before filing the
lawsuit and continues to pursue a resolution out of court.

The store is asking for full payment plus interest, the complaint says. (Lee has until a Sept. 19 hearing to answer it.)

"There isn't any ill will, it's a matter of contract," Niebler told the Sentinel.

Lee has hired three attorneys to prove she doesn't owe the bill,
according to the Sentinel, but when reached by telephone, she declined
to comment.

Oprah and Lee lived in Milwaukee during part of Oprah's childhood.