Television personality Wendy Williams is at odds with Wells Fargo bank after the financial institution froze her out of her personal and business accounts. According to Williams, the bank is in possession of funds totaling “several millions of dollars.” She goes on to claim that the bank has denied her access "to her financial assets for weeks without providing her or her counsel with adequate explanation or evidence to support its decision."
Wells Fargo justified the move to secure the funds under a previous client agreement which gave the bank the ability to “pause or reject instructions for a proposed transaction” in the event they “suspect financial exploitation, dementia, or undue influence." The bank filed a petition with the court explaining their belief that Williams "is the victim of undue influence and financial exploitation." The bank details that they moved forward with restricting access to the funds after one of Williams’ financial advisers voiced concerns over signs of exploitation. The former financial advisor also described Williams as being of “unsound mind.”
In response to this, Williams has filed a petition asking the courts to order Wells Fargo to "reopen any frozen accounts or assets" and grant her "access to any and all accompanying statements."
In the restraining order, Williams is also asking the judge to have the bank be barred "from freezing any and all assets which contain funds that were removed and/or withheld" from her own personal and business accounts. Williams claims that by being shut out of her finances, she and her family are experiencing financial harm as the television personality allegedly is unable to make payments on her mortgage and other financial obligations.
Wells Fargo has pushed back against the allegations that they're not allowing Williams access to her funds to pay her bills. The bank explained, "Wells Fargo’s priority is the financial well-being of Ms. Williams and the preservation of her privacy. As we have expressed to the Court, Wells Fargo is open to working with Ms. Williams’ counsel to release funds directly to her creditors for bills historically and regularly paid from her accounts."
Williams’ attorney LaShawn Thomas shares with Fox News Digital that Williams is indeed of sound mind. "Wendy had to, unfortunately, bring this action because Wells Fargo has refused to honor her Power of Attorney, granting her son authority to make inquiries to the bank on Wendy's behalf," Thomas explained in a statement. "Wendy further believes that all of the false narratives currently making the rounds derive from this source and she is saddened that she once considered this person a friend."
Williams has publicly shared her frustration with the bank heavily weighing the opinion of her financial advisor and former friend. Williams’ attorney explains, "it saddens Wendy that Wells Fargo has chosen to believe the allegations of a former employee who is upset because she no longer has direct and unfettered access to Wendy's financial affairs."
Amid the controversy surrounding Williams’ battle with recent health issues and the unfolding of her financial situation in the public eye, it was recently announced that the talk show host’s popular daytime show would be coming to an end. The show returned for its 13th season last fall, although it was hosted not by Williams but instead by an array of guest hosts including Sherri Shepherd, Leah Remini and Jerry O’Connell.
