Wendy Williams is pictured as she’s being honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 17, 2019 in Hollywood, California.Photo:David Livingston/Getty
David Livingston/Getty
Wendy Williams’ former attorney is speaking out amid the news of the former talk show host’s primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementiadiagnosis.
LaShawn Thomas, an attorney with Miami Entertainment Law Group who previously represented the star, posted a lengthystatementon Instagram on Saturday — alongside a video she took of Williams two years ago — encouraging her followers to “ask the hard questions.”
“I weighed this decision for a very long time. I have kept silent because I have been threatened with physical and financial harm, but I just couldn’t keep silent any longer,” the caption began. “While Wendy was in Miami with her son, I would often witness candid moments of their Mother and Son dynamic. I could tell that he loves his mother so much, and as you can see, the feeling was mutual.”
Wells Fargo filed the petition in January 2022, which led a court to place Williamsunder temporary financial guardianship. This reportedly occurred because she was at risk of financial exploitation due to cognitive issues.
A spokesperson for the financial services company has since shared with PEOPLE: “This matter was conducted under seal. Any claims against Wells Fargo have been dismissed.”
Wendy Williams and son, Kevin Hunter Jr. attend the ceremony honoring Wendy Williams with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame held on October 17, 2019.Michael Tran/FilmMagic
Michael Tran/FilmMagic
Thomas concluded her recent post with a personal anecdote about her own mother, who died in October 2022 “from complications related to her ALS diagnosis,” as she issued a plea forWendy’s son, Kevin Hunter Jr., to be allowed to spend time with his mother.
“If Wendy’s diagnosis is true, now more than ever, her son should be allowed that same grace,” she added. “He deserves it … and most importantly, Wendy deserves it.”
The statement from Williams’ former attorney came just two days after her medical team released a statement about her current health condition.
Williams’ family told PEOPLE thather guardian and current medical team have kept them out of the loopabout details of her life, including her location and the status of her health. PEOPLE has reached out to Williams’ guardian repeatedly to no avail.
Wendy Williams attends the Chiara Boni front row during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery II at Spring Studios on September 07, 2019 in New York City.Dominik Bindl/Getty
Dominik Bindl/Getty
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For the past 10 months,she’s been in an unknown facility to address cognitive issues, and her court-appointed legal guardian Sabrina Morrissey (whose identity was recently made public) is the only person who currently has unfettered access to her. Her family said she can call them, but they cannot call her themselves.
“How did she go from this aunt or sister that we love and is healthy one minute to this person who’s in and out of the hospital?” Williams' sister Wanda Finnie asked. “How is that system better than the system the family could put in place? I don’t know. I do know that this system is broken. I hope that at some point, Wendy becomes strong enough where she can speak on her own behalf.”
source: people.com
