Lynda Not Amused By Comedy Central

Article from Page Six, The NY Post.

"Real Housewives of DC" star Lynda Erkiletian has gotten satirists who questioned her modeling agency's legitimacy to knock it off -- and one to apologize.

To play up her political connections, Lynda boasted on the Bravo show, "We cater to ambassadors and dignitaries." That prompted writers at Comedy Central and Gawker and an independent blogger to wonder why ambassadors and dignitaries would ever need models.

Photo: Wire Image

Erkiletian's lawyer, Mark Lane, wrote to Comedy Central and its parent, Viacom, threatening legal action for suggesting in a blog post that she's running an escort agency. On top of demanding that the post be removed and the joke be made known as false, Lane wants Comedy Central honcho Tony Fox to write a letter of apology to Erkiletian.

Lynda ErkiletianGawker's Richard Lawson was also threatened with a suit for writing, "Lynda is one of the biggest high-class pimps in Washington." And DC blogger and New York Social Diary columnist Carol Joynt was asked to take down her post for mentioning Lawson's line when she questioned whether Erkiletian was "outing her business." Joynt was accused of "working in concert" with Lawson for posting on her blog, "Swimming in Quicksand," "I get a greater glee from reading Richard Lawson's recaps on Gawker.com. He's the money."

Lynda struck back in a Bravo blog on critics, explaining how she services DC's elite. "OK everyone, calm down, and shame on YOU!" she said. "Embassies host cultural and philanthropic events that often include an element of fashion, which is how we 'cater to ambassadors and diplomats.' "
Joynt and Comedy Central took down the posts. Joynt went further on her blog and apologized 14 times to Erkiletian for each count of alleged defamation cited by Lane.

"I just followed the letter," Joynt said. "I don't think you can sue me for being a fan of Richard Lawson." Lawson didn't get back to us. A Comedy Central rep had no comment.