Danielle Staub is angry that former boyfriend Stephen Zalewski is considering to cashing-in on her newfound fame in a profane way.
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State Superior Court Judge Thomas F. Brogan granted The Real Housewives of New Jersey star a temporary restraining order to stop Zalewski from releasing a sexually explicit video tape and images of her, The Associated Press reported Wednesday.
In addition, Brogan also ordered Zalewski to turn over all copies of the sex tape and pictures at a hearing set for July 21.
Staub claims she was unaware that Zalewski -- who briefly appeared on The Real Housewives of New Jersey while they dated from May to December of last year -- had filmed them having sex and states she only learned about it when someone read her a recent Star magazine report in which Zalewski said he was considering releasing the tape for purchase.
In addition to the restraining order, Staub also filed a lawsuit against Zalewski seeking damages for invasion of privacy, defamation and infliction of emotional distress, The AP reported.
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Staub said outside the court that Zalewski was threatening to release the tape and images as a way to get back at her and her two young daughters for ending their romantic relationship.
"She tries to look affluent. But sometimes she couldn't pay the household bills or buy food. Even then, she'd want to borrow 20 grand from me to buy jewelry!" Zalewski told Star in the June 17 report.
"I'm definitely weighing my options as far as selling them and getting them out there. She cost me so much money, why shouldn't I make a few dollars?"
Staub told Brogan she is "sickened" by what Zalewski attempted.
"This is about my kids," Staub told The AP. "I'm a big girl. Do what you want to me. But you broke bread with my children. Don't do this to me. No adult should ever do this to a child."
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The case is being referred to the county prosecutor's office because videotaping someone involved in sexual activity without that person's consent is prohibited under New Jersey law, according to The AP.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey premiered last month on Bravo, and -- similar to the three other iterations of The Real Housewives franchise -- it follows the daily lives and drama of five New Jersey women, not all of whom are actually housewives, including Staub.
About The Author: Steven Rogers