On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, People.com reported that New York Judge Lisa Sokoloff, who oversees the guardianship case of former talk show host Wendy Williams, is among 48 defendants named in a $250 million lawsuit filed by Williams’ ex-husband, Kevin Hunter.
The legal action, filed on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in New York, accuses Sokoloff and others of violating Williams’ constitutional rights during the establishment and management of her guardianship, which began in 2022 following Williams’ dementia diagnosis.
According to court documents, Hunter, who filed the lawsuit claiming to act on Williams’ behalf, alleges that Sokoloff failed to adhere to proper legal standards when implementing the guardianship. The complaint claims that Williams was not provided with adequate legal representation or an independent medical evaluation before being placed under guardianship. It further asserts that Sokoloff restricted Williams’ retained counsel from submitting filings, appearing in court, or accessing prior court documents, contributing to what the lawsuit describes as a “secret proceeding.”
The lawsuit also accuses Sokoloff of bias in handling Williams’ case. It references a 2024 tax lien, the sale of Williams’ New York City penthouse at a loss, and the disposal of her personal belongings as evidence of financial mismanagement under the guardianship. Additionally, the complaint alleges that Sokoloff’s re-election campaign received financial contributions from Wells Fargo and Williams’ court-appointed attorney, Linda Redlisky, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.
Hunter’s filing does not seek to terminate Williams’ guardianship but requests the appointment of a new, impartial guardian, the unsealing of case files, Williams’ release from involuntary confinement, a forensic accounting, and $250 million in damages for financial losses, emotional distress, and deprivation of liberty. The lawsuit also names Williams’ current guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, Wells Fargo, her assisted living facility, and several attorneys as defendants.
Source: People
