In 2013, Judge Judy Sheindlin was sued by Patric Jones — the estranged wife of the show’s executive producer, Randy Douthit. Jones, according to Daily News, was seeking $514,421.14 from Judge Judy. The TV judge had purchased fine china from Douthit as he was going through his messy divorce from Jones for $50,000 allegedly without Jones’ approval in 2009. Jones — who technically owned half of the china — had originally filed the lawsuit against her ex-husband, only to find out the china was not in his possession.
Judge Judy released a statement about the situation to TMZ, saying, “This very unpleasant lady doesn’t give a hoot about dishes. She cares about pressuring her ex-husband and the way to do that is to attempt to embarrass me … She and her attorney want a circus, and I refuse to be a further participant in their drama.”
Jones and Judge Judy eventually settled the dispute outside of court, and the lawsuit was dropped once the china dishes were returned. Meanwhile, Douthit spoke out in defense of both sides. “I agree with [my ex] that as community property she is entitled to half their value. She herself has valued them at more than $500,000,” he said, per TMZ. “I do not want them and she is certainly welcome to have them as that is what she says she wants.”