Oprah's Mom -- I Can't Read the Small Print!

Posted Oct 1st 2008 8:07AM by TMZ Staff

Oprah Winfrey's mom is refusing to pay back a $155K bill to a clothing store, and her defense is basically to play dumb.

Vernita Lee claims she shouldn't have to pay the gigantic bill to Valentina, a boutique in Wisconsin, because they took advantage of her "lack of knowledge ... and/or capacity" when they opened the account, reports the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. What's more, her lawyer says the store didn't disclose finance charges prominently enough.

And to think, this could all go away with the change lying around Oprah's chintz-covered cushions.

Filed under: Oprah

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(Page 1 of 7) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. The Wisconsin authorities should throw her fat ass in jail for not paying the bill. Stupidity is no excuse!! If you're that stupid you shouldn't be allowed to leave the house. They should lock her up and take that Obama loving big mouth daughter of hers with her.

Posted at 8:53AM on Oct 1st 2008 by MDCRAB

2. Oprah or her mother should just pay the bill. It is this kind of behavior which caused the financial crisis we're now in. People borrow money and then try to get out of paying it back.

Posted at 8:55AM on Oct 1st 2008 by MRC

3. maybe she's waiting for her daughter to pay the bill.

Posted at 9:07AM on Oct 1st 2008 by blahblahblah

4. She is responsible. Stupidty and ignorance are not excuses. Don't buy things you can't afford. Pay the bill, deadbeat.

Posted at 9:11AM on Oct 1st 2008 by Desiree

5. Wow. If this works for her, just think how many people are going to try the same thing. Also, does she have to give all the crap back that she bought? What a bunch of crap. MRC is right....this kind of behavior is what has the economy where it is. I wonder if she's paying her mortgage or is that small print, too? I'm surprised Oprah won't pay the bill in order to avoid the negative publicity.

Posted at 9:19AM on Oct 1st 2008 by TJ

6. Ahh... Stupidity is bliss... NOT A DEFENSE! This, and other similiar stories, are the reason why our country is in such a financial crisis - Let's all borrow money and not pay it back & see what happens. If this were me that hadn't paid the bill, the authorities would already have me in jail & you wouldn't be reading about it on TMZ. They need to arrest her and then see if someone can come up with that money... Oprah?! Gayle?! Obama?!

Posted at 9:20AM on Oct 1st 2008 by Mrs. Harvey Levin

7. Like mother.....like daughter!

Posted at 9:34AM on Oct 1st 2008 by SamanthaD

8. hang this woman from a tree, and light her up with gasoline.....

Posted at 9:35AM on Oct 1st 2008 by Dan

9. what's with O.W. mom ??? looks like she's trying to shame her daughter into paying the tab...major issue's between these 2 !!!

Posted at 9:35AM on Oct 1st 2008 by northern gyspy

10. The woman isn't stupid. She has no character. Everyone knows you have to pay for whatever you buy. If she didn't know that how did she get all the food she ate to get sooo fat. Disgusting manipulative con artist.

Posted at 9:35AM on Oct 1st 2008 by nira k

11. Looks like she is more capable of racking up a bill at Burger King instead. No wonder she is in so much debt from it. They have to charge her for extra material!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 9:47AM on Oct 1st 2008 by Mike

12. Can't read the small print??? uh-huh. And the check is in the mail, I love you, I won't come in your mouth...WHO DOES SHE THINK IS GOING TOFALL FOR THIS LINE O CRAP...PAY YER BILL POOKIE.

Posted at 9:49AM on Oct 1st 2008 by jojo

13. Hmmm....wonder if lard ass thought of that as she was "enjoying private showings" etc. Probably not.....what an idiot.....

Posted at 10:07AM on Oct 1st 2008 by piper

14. is this where the term "ignorance is bliss" comes in? if she owes that much obviously Oprah isn't that into taking care of 'ol mommy dearest here. If the big O was taking care of her, this never would have happened. Why we should never "assume" anything. Pay your f'n debt lady and quit trying to make excuses to sponge off others. Get a job and quit being a drain

Posted at 10:14AM on Oct 1st 2008 by hot snot

15. I live near this store and this has been on the news here. She apparently opened an account there 10-15 years ago and has never paid for an item once. Really? You think that a store is just going to let you take clothes and then not pay for them... Maybe I should stop paying my credit cards and act like I didn't know I had to pay them back. Although you would think the store would stop letting her buy things on credit if she had that high of an outstanding bill.

Posted at 10:20AM on Oct 1st 2008 by MrsMiller1304

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