'RHOC' Newbie Noella Bergener Sued Over $300k Legal Bill Stemming From 2014 'Paternity Action,' Amid Estranged Husband's $5.8 Million Tax Debt
Real Housewives of Orange County newbie Noella Bergener has been slapped with court papers over a massive unpaid legal bill but were told she denies being responsible for the debt.
According to court documents obtained by RadarOnline.com, the Bravo star is being sued by a debt collector, Creditors Adjustment Bureau, for breach of contract.
The suit accuses 36-year-old Noella of owing $293,832.22 to the law firm Fried and Goldsman. The docs say the money was owed on February 26, 2018.
Noella reportedly hired the law firm in 2014 to represent her in a “paternity action.” At the time, she was known as Noella Nance and had an address in Palm Desert.
The firm worked on the case for Noella up until June 2018.
The reality star’s only known child is her 2-year-old son James Jr, who she shares with her estranged husband James Bergener Sr.
A source close to Noella tells RadarOnline.com, the allegations she owes money are "unfounded." We're told she believes the legal bill should have been paid for by her first ex-husband (not James) per their divorce settlement.
The debt collector says despite numerous demands for payment, Noella hasn’t coughed up a dime. The source close to Noella denies she has ever been notified of any alleged debt owed by her.
The suit is seeking the entire $293k plus interest. The debt collector included the original agreement signed by Noella.
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The deal said the firm would work on the case that involved establishing parentage, custody and/or visitation and child support.
Attempts to reach Noella for comment on the matter have been unsuccessful.
The lawsuit comes amid a rocky couple of months for the RHOC star. As RadarOnline.com first reported, her husband James — who is a well-known personal injury lawyer in Orange County — was hit with two massive liens earlier this year.
Back in July, RadarOnline.com broke the story, James is accused of owing $5.8 million in back taxes.
The IRS filed a federal tax lien on June 3, 2021. Uncle Sam accuses the lawyer of owing taxes $4,045,118.85 for the years 2018 and 2019.
In a separate tax lien ,the State of California accuses James of owing them $1,851,225.04 for 2018 and 2019. The grand total for his tax debt comes to $5,896,343.04.
A couple of weeks later, Noella filed for legal separation after 1 year of marriage. The split is still ongoing.
