'Flip or Flop' News: HGTV Asks Court to Dismiss Lawsuit Against Estranged Couple Filed Amid Their Divorce
TV network HGTV reportedly backed estranged couple Christina and Tarek El Moussa and has asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Jonathan Schmier which the reality stars are facing on top of their divorce proceedings.
Christina and Tarek are famously known for HGTV's hit reality show "Flip or Flop" where they purchase pre-owned homes to be renovated, redesigned and resold.
According to a report from Radar Online, documents obtained from the United States District Court in North Carolina showed that Scripps Network and HGTV are seeking for a judge to scrap Schmier's claims.
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HGTV has acted to support their reality stars and argued that Schmier's lawsuit should be dismissed "because the requirements of diversity jurisdiction are not met and no other grounds for federal jurisdiction are apparent," adding that it lacked "subject matter."
In May, North Carolina resident and realtor Schmier filed charges against Christina and Tarek for allegedly not paying his fees and commission of more than $37,000, according to E! News.
The report said the documents Schmier filed in January claimed he was commissioned by the El Moussas' company to "find homes for them in the major cities such as Raleigh, NC" in preparation for a North Carolina-leg of the "Flip or Flop" show.
Meanwhile, the same Radar Online report shared that Schmier was not backing down, saying: "Just because a case is filed in the wrong court a Plaintiff is still entitled to have his/her case heard and not just have a case Dismissed with Prejudice because they Pro-Se Plaintiff failed to file the case in the proper court unaware of the Subject matter law/requirement [sic]."
On the other hand, Christina and Tarek have more things to deal with such as their divorce. In August, reports had it that Christina had finally filed for divorce from Tarek, months after the latter did.
Christina's camp has asked the court to dismiss Tarek's request for spousal support and instead grant hers. She also reportedly demanded that her former husband should pay the legal fees she will incur related to their divorce.
The couple announced their separation in December 2016.
