Overview
- U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Liman ruled on March 10 that the defendants waited too long to seek arbitration, writing they "cannot have their cake and eat it too" and that "arbitration is not a fallback."
- The lawsuit will continue in the Southern District of New York with proceedings and discovery in open court, and both sides are seeking internal documents and communications.
- Earlier rulings dismissed some claims on First Amendment grounds, but allegations that producers directly coerced and harassed McSweeney in connection with her addiction remain in play.
- McSweeney alleges producers exploited her alcohol use disorder and pressured her to drink for the show, while a representative for Andy Cohen has called the claims against him completely false.
- After the decision, McSweeney said on Instagram that the case has been emotionally and mentally draining and described the ruling as a huge step as the litigation moves forward.