Oprah Winfrey's mom sued by clothing store for pending bill of $155K

Washington, Sept 4 : An upmarket fashion store is suing Oprah Winfrey's mother, Vernita Lee, for a pending bill of more than 155,000 dollars.

The civil complaint filed by Valentina Inc. states that Lee has not settled an open-ended charge account with the store since January 2004.

In fact, till July 1 she had piled up a bill of 155,547.31 dollars in purchases and interest, according to the complaint. The paper also revealed that Lee had to pay a minimum monthly payment of 2,000 dollars to the store.

On Valentina's front, their attorney Joseph Niebler, Sr., told the Sentinel that at one point of time Lee stopped making the monthly payments.

He also said that the store has since been trying to resolve the bill and then resorted to file the lawsuit and is still trying to settle the issue out of court.

The complaint says that the store is demanding for full payment including the interest and Lee has to take a decision till the Sept 19 hearing.

"There isn't any ill will, it's a matter of contract," Usmagazine.com quoted Niebler, as telling the Sentinel.

While the Sentinel said that Lee has roped in three attorneys to prove she doesn't owe the bill, the lady refused to make any comment when reached by telephone.

ANI