Wendy Williams Former Attorney Says Ex-Financial Adviser Left Her To ‘Die’

Wendy Williams, LaShawn Thomas

Wendy Williams, LaShawn Thomas

Wendy Williams Former Attorney Says Ex-Financial Adviser Left Her To ‘Die’

Wendy Williams is still fighting for access to her money from Wells Fargo, and her former attorney is now speaking out.

According to reports, Wendy Williams’ former lawyer claimed the former tv host was “left to die” by her ex-financial manager. As you may know, the 58-year-old media personality’s accounts were frozen when Wells Fargo filed court documents claiming she needed to be placed under guardianship. She has reportedly been under the court-ordered guardianship — which she was “not in agreement” with because she “feels that she is capable” of managing her money — since the spring.

Wendy Williams

Wendy Williams’ former lawyer, LaShawn Thomas, stated that Wells Fargo financial adviser Lori Schiller, who no longer works for Williams, is allegedly contributing to a false report that Williams’ son misused her American Express credit card. As previously reported, sources close to the media mogul shared in an interview that her 22-year-old son, Kevin Hunter Jr., spent about $100,000 on her card prior to Williams’ accounts being frozen by Wells Fargo back in January. The University of Miami student denied the claim. In a statement, LaShawn Thomas said,

“The real issue is that Wells Fargo, through their adviser, refused to grant Wendy access to her own accounts, this includes the right to check her balance.”

She added,

“No bank should have the authority to do that. No one attempted to gain access to any of Wendy’s accounts. The Wells Fargo adviser and [former manager Bernie Young] were the only people with access … They left Wendy to die.”

Wendy Williams

LaShawn Thomas detailed what happened between the media personality and her old team that led to her guardianship. According to the lawyer, because Williams had no access to any of her funds, she was forced to use her AmEx for “all of her living expenses,” including flights to and from New York for doctor’s appointments, groceries, etc. Since health issues forced Williams to step away from her talk show, her son Kevin Hunter Jr. has stepped up to help her “both mentally and physically with the assistance of a team of doctors.” Included in her statement, Thomas shared,

“He coordinated all of her appointments, made sure she attended all appointments, cooked and cleaned for his mother. He absolutely loves his mother without question, and no one should place any blame or allegations of wrongdoing at his feet.”

Wendy Williams and son Kevin Jr.

Despite the report, Thomas said Lori Schiller and Williams’ former manager, Bernie Young, were the only people to have access to her accounts. Thomas explained,

“Lori’s responsibility was to pay all of Wendy’s and Kevin Jr.’s bills. Kevin has always reached out to Lori for the payment of bills. If anyone (Wendy or Kevin) needed money, they had to contact Lori so that she could initiate payment.”

Reportedly, Williams’ desire to buy Kevin Hunter Jr. a condo in Miami prompted what ultimately would lead to the guardianship she is now living under as ruled by a New York court. The entertainer enlisted Lori Schiller to work out the details of the real estate purchase, which apparently fell through. Thomas claimed that Schiller — out of nowhere — informed Kevin Hunter Jr. she “could no longer speak with him without Wendy’s written authorization” because a verbal one was “no longer sufficient.” In response, Williams asked to be taken to a local Wells Fargo branch to submit the written authorization and power of attorney; however, Thomas claims the local branch manager “refused to accept” the power of attorney.

Schiller allegedly agreed to fly to Miami to meet with Williams, but she never arrived. Thomas claimed,

“Instead, [Schiller] locked Wendy out of all of her accounts. [Schiller] restricted all access to every single account. Wendy was even restricted from going to the bank and personally withdrawing funds.”

The statement added,

“… Wendy, a woman who has worked hard for her wealth, was left penniless.”

Schiller has yet to comment, but a spokesperson for Wells Fargo has denied “any allegations of improper actions with respect to Ms. Williams’ accounts.”

Wendy Williams

What are your thoughts about the former attorney’s claims? Let us know in the comment section below.

[Sources: 1, 2]

Authored by: Ariel Whitely