Ms. Middleton was formerly Courtney Chapman and a well-known tennis star at Ole Miss. She is a member of the Ole Miss Athletics Hall of Fame. Mr. Middleton played at Wimbledon several times in doubles tournaments. They began working at River Hills in 2011 until their recent termination.
This complaint contains some serious allegations and comments made by both sides. Tantrums on the court, unrequited hugs, accusations of pill-poppin', Facebook comments, and ultimately some firings are all alleged in the lawsuit. The lawsuit contains many details that don't need to be rewritten. It is posted below.
Attorney Louis Watson, Jr. represents the Middletons. The case is assigned to Judge Winston Kidd.
117 comments:
In case anyone thought that jackassery was limited only to the poor.
Just guessing here, but was 'Courtenay' a Kappa Delta when she was at Ole Miss?
First world problems in a third world city. Wonder what the jury of their peers will look like?
Ha ha ha! Now that's some funny shit right there! I guess the spoiled brats had to get their Daddy to step in & run the show because they're wimps. Y'all keep your high dollar drama in Jackson & I'll stay in Rankin County!
Who actually did the firing and when? Is there a written contract in place between the couple and the club?
This is absurd. Reading that complaint is similar to reading about a fight between junior high girls. What a complete waste of time. The attorney should be embarrassed that he actually wrote "the facts" like this.
They may have been unjustly fired, but this complaint is a joke to read.
2:11: Hug me
Daddy is an attorney who practices out of his home. Mom apparently doesn't work. Junior is a tennis pro and daughter is an artist. Holy hell if these people aren't the dictionary definition of "idle rich"!
Sounds to me like Daddy got Junior his gig, and Junior didn't like these plebeians who were far better at teaching tennis than he...a mama's boy who goes on "adult spring break" (whatever that is).
I don't know anyone in the whole sordid mess, but all four members of the Ostenson clan were a part of this, according to the complaint, and the father is the one who flexed his muscle and got them fired.
I wouldn't trust that family a bit.
P.S. Most tennis pros I have known are in good shape. Looking at his picture on River Hills' website, Tommy is pretty pudgy. Maybe he just sells tennis balls in the pro shop.
Please tell me this is satire and not an actual lawsuit.
Hug me.
Oh my...This is so Ole Miss
Watson'll get them some settlement money fo sho!
Are you sure that attorney's name isn't Ted Underhill?
If trials are really supposed to be held with a jury of one's peers, obviously this case will be transferred to the Lyceum on the esteemed University of Mississippi campus in Oxford. Or wherever it is on the campus that disputes among the Greek organizations are held.
The Ostenson dad admitted that his daughter had "mental issues". It sounds like the "hug me" mom is a little crazy too! This sounds like a set up. I don't know these people, but that club sounds like a Peyton Place. I hope they sue that rich club, too and fire the fat daddy's boy.
Country Club Rule No. 1: You can't hire members' kids to be the help.
Hope the NCAA doesnt get wind if this.
How on earth did this thread go from crazy privileged country clubbers to butthurt envious MSU types?
"Hoo-wee, Cyndee Lou! This is so Ole Miss! You just don't see this kind of behavior on the third shift of the Waffle House, am I right? HAIL STATE!"
My word, I can't believe they admit to being patrons of Tuesday Morning AND RHC. What's wrong with all the expensive home interior stores in Jackson and Ridgeland? That would have been much more entertaining at Batte or Ethan Allen!
You lay down with bears, you will get up with fleas.
ONE HUG FOR KINGFISH! ! ! ! !
On the next season of Game of River Hills:
Cersei Ostenson convinces her husband Tom Baratheon to exact revenge upon Courtenay Targaryen after she and Tommy Lannister had a public fight over Tommy's sister Myranda's claims that T.J. Stark sexually assaulted her.
"Hug me! I want to give you a hug!!!"
"No!"
"No? Then prepare to have your livelihood destroyed by my husband and his allies as he continues his ascent to the Catgut Throne of the Seven Tennis Courts!"
Summer Is Coming
Plenty of State representation at RHC, 4:20. Take a lap.
You're the first one in this thread to bring up State and to assume it was Mississippi State people making the Ole Miss comments. Sounds a little obsessive over Mississippi State to me.
Wow.......if somebody wants a hug I'm gonna give 'em a hug. Don't sue me, Bro.
I am not a lawyer in any way, and that certainly made for some wonderfully entertaining reading on this beautiful afternoon, and my question is - does it have to be written with such gossipy detail? Is there another way to write it up and share the sordid details later? Just curious.
What will be the ultimate effect on all the 26-44 year old women, driving Audies, Benz, Volvos, Luxury Jeeps and Range Rovers around the metro (with the required JP and OM stickers on the back) wearing they tennis skirts? Nothing else matters in the least.
This is better than the prostitution ring at the CCJ
Man...to have your dad call you out as being crazy and then having it plastered ALL over social media......WOW. Think I would need to move!!
Oh wow, this reads just like a penny-ante version of Game of Thrones in the microcosm of the River Hills Tennis and Ladies' Tea Party Club! The post at 4:48 is hilarious!
This has been a fun thread to read...brings back memories of old Jackson Jambalaya jackassery like Harborwalk and Farish Street and Donna Ladd's Zoo editorials. Back before the days of endless press releases from the offices of Delbert Hosemann or Jim Hood.
The complaint is fact laden because these type cases call for specific facts to be alleged and proven.
The more "back story" to the actual firing...the more likely a jury is to believe the plaintiffs...who bear the burden of proof.
Also he plead the allegations and avoided any mention of negligence which will keep any policy of insurance from providing a defense....thereby requiring the defendants to hire their own costly counsel.
Kidd is the assigned Judge...which means defendants will never win "on the papers" which means....very expensive for defendants.
Make fun of Louis all you wish.....he's got a case...in the right court...with some egregious sounding defendants.....
Pass the grey poupon.....this is gonna be fun
You left out Redfruit. That was best ever.
I said HUG ME, MOTHER****ER!!!
Hug me mom should be sued for unwanted sexual harassment.
Whores at the CCJ, I feel like I am missing out!! Tell more bout them whores!
Where is Judge Smails??? He always keeps those subhuman caddys in place...
Oh, wait. This is t the script for Caddyshack 3: Out of bounds??????
Sounds just like Courtenay, a rude spoiled rotten brat who fights with everyone. There must be more to the story.
Lots of grammatical errors in the lawsuit - what a fine legal team!
At some point there was going to be news attention over attractive females in the stacked JA Class of 1997... though I always thought the Matusiewicz sisters would take center stage before Ann Ostensen.
The mother who named her newborn daughter "Courtenay" (had to rise above just plain "Courtney") obviously didn't foresee this.
I predict "Hug me" will go down in history on the same list with other infamous comments such as "Don't taze me, bro" and "We have to pass it so you can see what is in it (poor paraphrasing)."
If Kidd has this case, resolution won't be till 2019 at best
"The mother who named her newborn daughter "Courtenay" (had to rise above just plain "Courtney") obviously didn't foresee this."
Maybe she did...
Tennis "Courtenay"
I'll Have My Day In "Courtenay"
Hugs!
This whole debacle is so embarassing for everyone Involved. Poor behavior all around!
I'd advise the guy Plaintiff to get a haircut. He might just win if he does.
This pretty much confirms what every working-class person in town assumed about River Hills members.
White people keeping it real.
'Ginger said, "All of you need to be adults." '
Ginger was right.
Will this be a No "Fault!" divorce, or just end 40-Love?
Free Hugz 4 Ginger
April 5 at 2:59 pm: You can't make this kind of sh*t up.
When I read this, I keep hearing little Tommy Ostensen talking in the voice of Spaulding from Caddyshack.
I can see him missing a shot on the court and screaming, "DOUBLE FARTS!"
Go Ginger! What a funny gossip lawsuit. I hope this attorney can make money out of it.
Free Hugs For Ginger signs posted around would be epic.
I have had dealings with Watson in the past---he is not to be trusted in any way. He is a user and has no loyalty to anyone not even his father or brother---what a typical slime lawyer. Meek and mild but is capable of handing you your testicles.
What, exactly, are "Christmas" and "New Year's hug(s)?" Are they different in duration, points of contact, or the air kisses and mumbled lies/compliments about that girl you hate so much?
It must be a trip around these households after a little eggnog.
Hey, Muffy, meet me under the Ole MissTleToe!!! Woo hoo, y'all!!! Hotty Toddy!!
(At this point, Mama directs Miss Frasier to start watering down the drinks and substituting with virgin eggnog)
What drama!!
Great reading and spoiled brats and grownups I see here
Let's lavish River Hills with another TIF as we sure as hell want this moronic soap opera to remain in our vaunted Capital City.
Attn: 9:45 You would have to have gone to Ole Miss to know what Christmas and New Years hugs are. I don't know either. The only good thing about this circus is that the esteemed Winston Kidd gets to referee this cat fight.
This much I'm clear on as an attorney: Louis Watson Jr. is not to be trifled with. These hard working people up against frivolous NEJ types who took the livelihoods of these people could not have found a better lawyer. The O's are in for quite a shake up. A Hinds County jury will have little patience or sympathy.
DADDY! I don't want a boring old job! I'm gonna be a big tennis celebrity and make tons of money and drive fancy cars after I win the US Open. But until then can you get those Middletons fired so I can get promoted? After that we'll work on Dave Randall so I can be the boss of River Hills Tennis!
You gonna eat your fat?
Me thinks the majority that composes Hinds County jury pools will have little compunction about putting this special little club in its place. I smell a healthy settlement.
But will they hug at the settlement table?
This thread is officially epic! It needs to be linked in The Kingfish's Favorite Posts on the right-hand side of the site.
Let's HUG!
^^^ I agree with 11:09. May this thread never die!
This is a classic. #hugs
Tom might live to regret his meddling, and somebody needs to update T.J.'s wiki page!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._J._Middleton
Regardless of how trite and silly the Complaint reads to some, I think it is worth noting that the Middletons lost both sources of income for their family overnight. River Hills clearly caved to Mr. Ostenson's vicious and vindictive demands, firing the Middletons with no proof and providing no chance for them to exonerate themselves. The only recourse this couple has is the law. Their reputations have been ruined and they have both lost their jobs so suddenly that it is indeed ridiculous. The only frivolous parts of this lawsuit are the unwarranted actions, unreasonable demands and untrue statements made by the defendant who is an attorney!
The fact that the defendant and his family refer to themselves as Christian over and over is perhaps the most laughable part of this very sad and very real ruination of a family's means and reputation. The defendant's actions are indeed petulant and petty but they are also filled with such palpable hatred and inappropriate anger that it is truly frightening. To actually make the effort and to succeed in destroying these people's lives over this unfounded non-issue is terrifying and pathetic. And then to wave the Christianity banner over their whole ugly vengeful rant is insulting to all of us and they should be ashamed of themselves. It is this kind of self-serving, self-righteous, mean-spirited behavior done in Christ's name, while being so blatantly hypocritical, that gives Christianity such a bad rap. I think we can all agree that this is not how Jesus would have handled a perceived slight to his mother!
This very frivolous complaint, filed by the defendant with River Hills, that the Middletons have yet to see, should never have seen the light of day and should have been dismissed by the board as the silly rantings of a man too used to getting his way and mean enough to go to any means necessary to get it. The Middletons are only trying to salvage what they can of their reputations and livelihood.
Even Ginger's need hugs.
Without getting into the merits of the complaint and who is right and who is wrong, keep in mind that the Midd's will probably have to move. There just aren't many teaching pro jobs in this area and the NE Courthouse just closed as well.
Why is River Hill not part the this legal action?
Cypress Lake just opened back up
They need to go be the pros there
I guess the defendants live there, though? That would be awkward.
Like sands through the hour glass...........
There's still a ton of parents wanting their junior player to excel. They aren't all at River Hills (most are not). There's good money in that business.
The interesting thing is that a blog post about a hot girl garners so many comments from all the angry old white guys on here.
1:55 same owner that previously opened it up?
So the Ostensons live at Cypress Lake, and the club just reopened, so the Middletons go run the club in Tom and Huggy Bear's backyard? Hmmm...
Here's a scenario: The Middletons win their lawsuit and significant compensatory damages. As a result, the Ostensons have to resign from River Hills and sell their house to pay their legal debt. Meanwhile, Courtenay and TJ are hired to run the Cypress Lake club and, needing a home that's closer to work, buy the former Ostenson residence at a significant discount.
Man, that would be something!
Haha, that would be some story right there.
1:55 -- It is not the same owner to my knowledge.
I don't think it is going to do well based on pricing and it will be tennis / pool only-- no gym / work out equipment.
If this iteration does not work, I am just going to fix this thing myself.
Mr. Corleone never asks for a second hug once he’s refused the first, understood?
Terrified that Richer Hicks Club members might have to suffer indignity of sharing the facilities at the Y!!!!! Good God, what is this cotton money world coming to????
OK...one or two of you have given Kingfish multiple orgasms by suggesting this thread is cool and might last longer than ten minutes. Now...can we get back to serious shit?
4:09, this is serious shit! #tennisprolivesmatter #huglife
4:09 -- This IS serious shit. Any moron can write an opinion on the state budget or the Jackson mayor's race, and most do. But it takes a true gift to expose the petty jackassery of self-important social climbers to the vicious, anonymous, well-deserved ridicule of their peers.
That is what Jackson Jambalaya is. If you don't like this, you don't like Jackson Jambalaya.
Next thing you know the Ostensons will start an Oxford House as a means of making themselves even more popular in NEJ.
I take from TJ & Courtenay on a regular basis.. it's sad to see them have to go through all of this because of a "hug"? Confused as to why Tom's complaint was taken to the level of firing.... I mean do y'all serious think that these professional coaches deserve that? Everyone at RHC loved them. RHC will suffer BAD. All because of a stupid Jr. High girl story.
People get fired all the time,the board should have just let the contract to run out.
I have seen people get someone fired like this before, I hope to get on the jury for this one. A wrong will be righted.
6:20 Obviously there is much more to the story than the hug that didn't happen. Go back and read the lawsuit carefully and you can see what was going on to cause bad blood between the 2 families.
Mr. Corleone never asks for a second hug once he’s refused the first, understood?
You win the week, Tom!
Reminds me of when Frank Melton pulled over a school bus on I-20 so he could get some hugs from kids. When you really need a hug, nothing else will do.
The question as to why River Hills is not a party to the lawsuit is the best one asked...and, yet it went unanswered. If there was an employment contract (and apparently there was) and it was violated, that's the whole crux of the matter.
The issue is not really whose tits got twisted over a hug refused. And the issue is not whose daddy has the most influence and which skirt attracts their attention. The issue is whether or not the termination of employment violated an employment contract. Otherwise, without that, you can fire anybody in this state for any reason as long as there is not actionable illegal discrimination.
It is not illegal to fire a blonde graduate of Ole Miss who frequents high-end eateries and the offices of Dr. Blackledge. Nor is it illegal to fire a man who drives a BMW and has the attention of multiple female customers. But, it IS illegal to fire them individually or collectively in violation of an employment contract. And without the employer and its contract with plaintiffs being part of the suit, the judge ought to throw it all out.
You'll have to ask the plaintiffs and their lawyer. No idea why they didn't sue RH.
Hmmm...could it be that Mr. O deliberately initiated a lengthy campaign among the Club's members by spreading rumors and misinformation to get rid of the Middleton's to further his own agenda and that led to the board's actions ?
Whether or not the board was duped into believing they had to deal with a legitimate problem may be the first thing to prove.
I suspect the " moral" to this story will be one you have covered before KF.
When parents go to great lengths to protect children from the consequences of their behavioral problems and family members are complicit in a misguided effort to protect the family name, bad things happen.
6:32. Pls quit trying to play lawyer. The tort of intentional interference with contractual relations stands on its own and is all that matters here. And yes I am a lawyer.
Assuming that there exists a written contract of employment between River Hills and Zack & Kelly, you can bet your ass it has a mandatory arbitration provision in it.
People like this a dime a dozen in Mississippi. You meet them all the time, and they are easily identifiable because they love to spout off about what great Christians they are, virtue signal endlessly, and if they sense you like your personal space, they will go out of their way to "hug" you in order to make you feel uncomfortable. Because mommy or daddy (or more likely grandpa) had money, they think they are sitting on some high horse. It's actually more like a miniature circus pony in this case.
Best of luck to the Middleton's. They tried to conduct themselves with class and got railroaded by some spoiled, bored losers whose grandchildren will make terrible wal-mart cashiers.
The world is falling apart and JJ gets 92 comments on two fourth class tennis players. WOW !!!!!!!!!
Buffy and Biff really fill a void in people's lives.
"The world is falling apart and JJ gets 92 comments on two fourth class tennis players. WOW !!!!!!!!!
Buffy and Biff really fill a void in people's lives."
April 7, 2017 at 9:29 AM
'Buffy' and 'Biff' are names from the Preppy Handbook. The people involved in this little teapot tempest, are REDNECKS - just plain REDNECKS.
Among the funniest things about this, are the REDNECK GIRL names. I'd call them New Money, or Rich Rednecks, but there doesn't seem to BE much money. So, they're really just plain-ol' REDNECKS.
Wow, we have some angry people here complaining about fourth class tennis instructors and redneck girl names and phony Christians and all! I think you should follow the advice of Ginger Spice Ostensen: You all need to be adults and settle your differences in the best way known...
HUG!!!!!
10:32, it's better to have new money than no money at all.
HUG ME, MOTHERF---ER
Am I alone in feel like something is missing. People complain about employees all the time, employment decisions are the privilege of management. People get fired and clean out their desks without warning all the time. Why didn't the country club would not just let it sit over the summer and not renew the contract?
4:59, I have no idea either but I'm so glad Louis H. Watson, Jr., Attorney at Law, is on top of it. Thank God we still have heroes in this world restoring justice.
100 comments. Dang. Obviously a hot girl draws internet interest. The rest does not matter.
"LOL" "OMG" "XOXO"
I have a question. Someone made a comment about old money and rednecks with money. Jackson was incorporated in 1821. Can anyone define or determine who or when the old money came to this area? What constitutes how old money has to be before it's handed down from generation to generation. Jackson was a trading post. Most people were merchants or traders which meant they worked with their hands and began businesses. Were they rednecks? Most of our population came from Western Europe and they had to work with their hands to gain wealth. Did they say in their wills that the money they handed down could only be invested and not spent so it could be handed down again and again and again?
I have known some very wealthy people who worked with their hands and accumulated a great deal of wealth and they outclassed a lot of so called wealthy white collar people. What money does for some people is very strange. I have dealt with wealthy people who will screw you at the drop of a hat and laugh about it. No Class! No morals! But I have met average people who would give you the shirt off their backs. Do you have to earn a certain amount per year? Do you earn it through being a lawyer, doctor or a simpleton such as a building contractor or retail business owner, car deale....? Heavens forbid if you work with your hands in some social circles.
I understand there is a great deal of wealth in the Eastover area and Woodland Hills. Where and how did they obtain that wealth? The grandparents or great grandparents? Did they work with their hands ? Again, what is old money and why is it better than new money? You can't buy class. You can't by manners and you can't buy looks.....well, sometimes you can buy looks but the gene pool doesn't change. I've seen some wealthy women and men who would have to have a porkchop hung around their neck to get the dog to play with them. Do you see where I'm coming from? If a guy marries a girl for money or vice Versa or if it's an arranged marriage to keep money in the family ( which I know several of those who a downright miserable) what's the use if you are not truly happy? And it seems those I know who have wealth are never as happy as those who are average.
Now, when you talk about old money in the Vicksburg and Natchez area, THATS OLD MONEY. Natchez had more millionaires per capita than anywhere in the US prior to the war of aggression.
War of aggression. Right.
Why don't you call it by it's real name?
"The War to Preserve an Economic System that could never support itself without the use of Enslaved and Free Labor"
If this blog is all about honesty and truth, why deny the facts?
Cue the indignation and outrage, this is going to be interesting.
Well, damn. Now the comments will turn to debating a war that occurred over 150 years ago. A war in which none of us, our grandparents, great grandparents (with maybe a few exceptions including moi) and - most likely - great great or great grandparents were a part of. It's over. Get over it.
Move on to 2017. There in now a kerfuffle occurring involving (former) HRC tennis instructors and an attorney (whose family definitely comes across as spoiled and somewhat wacko). I know none of these participants but have enjoyed reading comments about this lawsuit. I realize it's not entertaining for those involved; but, it sure helps take my mind off Syria and all that is going on in our country and the world right now.
Hug me. Please
Nobody has yet to define what old money in Jackson is. Old money is on the East Coast. Not here. Wishful thinking you bunch of attorneys
What do any of the last few comments have to do with why the two were fired??! River hills radio silence would seem to indicate there's more to this story
Morgan and Morgan. For the people
Have YOU been injured in an accident?
Have you been involved in a wreck with an 18 wheeler?
Do these guys equal old money?
8:33, an entire BOOK would be needed, to adequately respond to your mixture of questions, platitudes, and observations (assuming what you wrote COULD be untangled well enough to answer, at all).
7:55...if you are a lawyer, please post your name so I won't screw up and use you. You criticize another poster for suggesting the contract must be part of the lawsuit...then you cite the contract as defense of your learned argument.
Here is your post: "..quit trying to play lawyer. The tort of intentional interference with contractual relations stands on its own and is all that matters here. And yes I am a lawyer."
To sue someone for interfering with a contract, one must show, among other things, that a contractual relationship existed and the parties thereto. In that regard, the contract and the employer, as a party to it, must be mentioned in or party to the lawsuit.
I may not wear a seersucker suit like you, but I've watched Matlock more than a few times.
Changes in attitudes.....changes in platitudes
I think the 'non lawyer' at 6:21 just put in his place the 'lawyer' at 7:55 who goes so far as to proclaim his profession.
Fallacy: Listen to me. I am a lawyer, therefore my answer is the correct one. And he is probably a 'stand alone' lawyer too....
6:21. Matlock: The point is that there is no reason why the RHC has to be a party to the suit or that the plaintiffs have to prove as an element of the tort that RHC was not within its rights to end the contract. Of corse the contract has to to be shown, but the Plaintiffs can easily do that. That is not at issue. The tort stands on it its own without a suit for wrongful temination.
sorry, 10:35, but in this state, an employee can be fired for any reason at all or no reason at all as long as the reason is not illegal discrimination protected by labor or employment law. And that includes people on a board or with influence convincing the employer that the employee ought to be terminated.
If the board (or whoever makes employment decisions here) decided to cut its losses with employees who had become meddlesome distractions, impediments to the peaceful conduct of its members, pissed off too many members or simply that they wore pastel colors on 'all white' days....that's a decision that cannot be redressed in court. But, you're a lawyer and ought to know this.
Reading this lawsuit brings one thought to mind.
The men involved violated a cardinal rule of the man code: When women are in a catfight, stay the hell out of it. They will either stay mad at each other forever or be best friends in six months. I know this comment just riled up some people but it's the truth.
I'm a woman who agrees with you, KF.
FYI to the people with name issues: Northeasterners know Courtenay is a family surname not a cutesy spelling.
8:33 am The notion of " old money" is that there is an ability to retain wealth over generations as opposed to those who go " from shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves" after three generations. "Old money" has no need to be ostentatious and prefers quality to quantity. They try to avoid public attention or conflict. They do not " air their dirty laundry". They know the rules of etiquette and why those rules matter in a civilized society. It's not a matter of how much wealth but the character needed to not squander it or destroy the family's good name.
@11:55 pm - I hope you aren't a lawyer, your legal knowledge is sorely lacking. There absolutely are grounds for a lawsuit here. And the complaint was artfully drafted to avoid triggering insurance and cause the defendant to pay for his own defense. Nice touch.
Fat kid, with cake crumbs falling out of mouth, gets jealous about his coworkers being better and more qualified than he, calls in Daddy.
Cue Smokey in the Bandit, sheriff Buford T. Justice's kid.
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