Tom Sandoval Sues Ariana Madix, Alleges Invasion of ‘Right to Privacy’ by Sharing Videos with Rachel Leviss

Summary:

“Vanderpump Rules” star Tom Sandoval has sued his ex-girlfriend Ariana Madix for allegedly invading his privacy by accessing his phone and sharing explicit videos without his consent.

Madix’s lawyer dismissed Sandoval’s accusations as baseless, suggesting that the lawsuit is a strategy to shift blame and rehabilitate Sandoval’s public image following negative media coverage.

This lawsuit adds to the ongoing drama between the ex-couple and underscores the complexities of personal privacy in the age of social media, especially among high-profile relationships under public scrutiny.

Tom Sandoval, a star of “Vanderpump Rules,” has filed a lawsuit against his ex-girlfriend Ariana Madix, accusing her of invading his privacy and distributing explicit videos without his consent.

In legal documents, Sandoval alleges that Madix accessed his phone without authorization on March 1, 2023. According to the complaint, Madix allegedly reviewed “images, information, data, videos and/or communications,” including FaceTime videos involving Sandoval and Rachel Leviss, with whom he was romantically involved.

The lawsuit asserts that Madix proceeded to make copies of this data and distributed it to Leviss and third parties without Sandoval’s permission, thereby violating his privacy rights.

Sandoval, who had been in a nine-year relationship with Madix before their breakup, claims in the lawsuit that her actions were malicious. He alleges that Madix’s conduct constituted “oppression, fraud, or malice,” stating that she acted with the intent to harm him and showed a willful disregard for his rights.

Television personalities Tom Sandoval (L) and Ariana Madix attend the Friends and Family Opening at Schwartz & Sandy's with the cast of "Vanderpump Rules" at Schwartz & Sandy's Lounge on July 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. — LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 26: Television personalities Tom Sandoval (L) and Ariana Madix attend the Friends and Family Opening at Schwartz & Sandy’s with the cast of “Vanderpump Rules” at Schwartz & Sandy’s Lounge on July 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

The legal action seeks punitive damages for Madix’s alleged violations.

Responding to the lawsuit, Madix’s attorney Jordan Susman issued a statement to PEOPLE, dismissing Sandoval’s claims as baseless. Susman portrayed the lawsuit as an attempt by Sandoval to evade responsibility for the consequences of his actions, referencing their prior relationship and its fallout.

“It is abhorrent that Tom Sandoval continues to torment Ms. Madix,” Susman stated. He criticized Sandoval for initiating an affair that destabilized Madix’s life and alleged emotional distress, asserting that Sandoval was fully aware of the privacy agreements regarding their personal communication devices.

The attorney further accused Sandoval of attempting to shift blame onto Madix, despite his own acknowledged transgressions, and suggested that the lawsuit was a ploy to rehabilitate Sandoval’s public image following negative media coverage.

This legal clash emerges amidst ongoing tensions between the former couple. It follows a previous lawsuit in which Leviss, 29, sued both Sandoval and Madix for claims including eavesdropping and revenge porn. Leviss alleged that the public scrutiny resulting from her involvement with Sandoval had significantly impacted her life and mental health.

Sandoval has countered Leviss’s allegations, asserting that any explicit videos involving her were consensually shared and saved. His legal response aimed to rebut claims that he surreptitiously recorded intimate moments without consent.

The lawsuit underscores the complexities of personal privacy and digital boundaries in the age of social media and celebrity culture, particularly within high-profile relationships under public scrutiny.