Former Spice Girl Mel B [Melanie Brown] has filed for a restraining order against Lorraine Gilles, amid claims her ex-nanny has been harassing her.
The singer-turned-television presenter appeared in a court in Van Nuys, near Los Angeles, on Friday with her 18-year-old daughter Phoenix, and her lawyer, Larry Mark Bakman.
The Daily Mail reports Bakman put forward a series of claims against Gilles, including allegations Brown’s ex-employee stole $300,000 from her, and that Gilles and her ex-husband Stephen Belafonte have a stash of sex videos of her, which she says the former nanny is threatening to release.
Gilles’ legal team argued the accusations were untrue, and claimed the German-born au pair had been caught in the middle of a bitter divorce battle between Brown and Belafonte.
The former Spice Girl was married to Stephen Belafonte for 10 years. The pair have a daughter together, Madison, 6. Photo: Getty Images
Judge Dordi also heard arguments from both sides as to why video cameras should be banned in the court.
Bakman outlined his case, stating the “sexual and salacious” nature of the allegations could be harmful to Brown’s two younger daughters, Madison, six, and Angel, 10, if video from the hearing was broadcast on television or the Internet.
“The video could be viewed by the children who are in school,” Bakman said.
Gilles lawyer countered this saying Brown’s case was already “loaded with the most explicit details of a sexual nature. They have opened the door. The petitioner’s (Mel B) child is in court right now.”
Bakman also requested a two-week postponement of the restraining order case, citing difficulties calling his main witness, Stephen Belafonte, to court.
In retaliation, Gilles’ attorney called for Brown’s restraining order request to be thrown out of court – as well as asking for payment of her legal fees.
“In order to obtain a stay away order (restraining order), Miss Brown must show that unlawful harassment occurred. But there has been no contact or communication between Miss Gilles and Miss Brown since September (when Gilles was fired from her nanny job).
“The purpose of this case has been to smear Lorraine Gilles. The case was originally filed in April. Time is up.”
The judge adjourned the hearing to consider the case.
