While Lisa Vanderpump gears up for a major reboot of Vanderpump Rules and the upcoming launch of her flashy Vanderpump Hotel in Las Vegas, a long-standing legal storm behind the scenes has finally settled.
She and her husband, Ken Todd, have officially ended a nearly five-year legal battle with former employees from their now-closed West Hollywood hotspot, Pump.
And while the cameras may be rolling again, the courtroom chapter wrapped up quietly — but not without a hefty price tag.
Vanderpump and Todd Ordered to Pay Nearly Half a Million in Employee Lawsuit
According to court documents filed in Los Angeles, a judge approved a $490,000 settlement agreement at the end of April.
The deal puts to rest a class action lawsuit brought by Ernest R. Bennick, a former Pump server who accused Vanderpump, Todd, and their business Pump LLC of multiple labor violations.
Bennick originally filed the lawsuit back in 2020, claiming the restaurant failed to pay minimum wage, overtime, proper meal breaks, and final wages.
Despite denying all allegations, Vanderpump and Todd ultimately agreed to the settlement terms, though it wasn’t an easy road.
Former Employee Speaks Out on Fighting for Fair Treatment
Bennick, who worked at Pump from 2018 to 2019, took a leadership role in the suit and shared that he launched the case to stand up not just for himself but for others who faced similar issues.
In his own words, he wanted to “end what I believe are illegal practices” at the restaurant.
According to filings, he felt many current employees feared speaking out due to possible retaliation.
“My goal wasn’t just money—it was to change things for the better,” Bennick said in a declaration.
How the Settlement Was Divided
Although the total settlement was $490,000, the actual amount paid to plaintiffs was a bit over $252,000 after deductions for legal fees, court costs, and administrative expenses.
The rest of the funds went toward attorneys’ fees, class administration costs, a service award for Bennick, and penalties under the Private Attorneys General Act.
A follow-up court review is scheduled for 2026 to ensure the payments are finalized properly.
Why the Settlement Was Delayed
When Pump closed in July 2023, Todd and Vanderpump reportedly hesitated to pay the full settlement, citing financial strain from the closure, including landlord disputes and lost income.
But Bennick’s team pushed back hard, highlighting the couple’s continued business ventures — including their partnership in TomTom, a reopening next door to Pump, and Lisa’s widely reported $90 million net worth.
Vanderpump’s Empire Keeps Expanding Despite Legal Setback
The settlement hasn’t slowed Vanderpump’s hustle.
She still owns SUR in Los Angeles and operates three high-end restaurants in Las Vegas.
On top of that, she’s launching a new Lake Tahoe eatery and the highly anticipated Vanderpump Hotel in partnership with Caesars Entertainment, scheduled to open in early 2026.
Vanderpump Rules Gears Up for a Major Reboot
As the legal case wrapped up, Vanderpump Rules is heading into its next phase.
Season 11, which wrapped in May 2024, saw the fallout of the infamous “Scandoval” drama.
But for Season 12, Bravo is wiping the slate clean with a brand-new cast — though Lisa Vanderpump herself is sticking around.
She called the past 12 years of filming “an extraordinary run” and promised that this new chapter will bring fresh drama, new faces, and a look back at the show’s emotional highs and lows.
Cast Members React to the Show’s New Direction
Not everyone is thrilled.
OG cast member Katie Maloney recently shared that she was ready to leave the show even before the reboot announcement.
Speaking on the Detox Retox podcast, she said the new version feels “cheap” and questioned why Bravo didn’t just launch an entirely separate show.
Maloney, who now runs a sandwich shop with former co-star Ariana Madix, emphasized that she had nothing against the new cast — but felt the reboot was trying too hard to copy the old recipe.
Meanwhile, Some Former Cast Members Are Curious About the Reboot
James Kennedy’s ex, Ally Lewber, sounded a bit more open-minded.
While she said she doesn’t know who’s officially in the new cast, she did mention she’s rooting for Demi, a SUR waitress she’s met at events.
Lewber added that she’ll definitely be tuning in, if only out of curiosity.
“I think that it probably was kind of the end of an era,” she reflected about Season 11, admitting it left people wondering what comes next.
Looking Ahead for Vanderpump and Her Legacy
With a major lawsuit now behind her and a full TV reboot on the horizon, Lisa Vanderpump seems to be closing one chapter and confidently stepping into the next.
Whether fans embrace the new faces of Vanderpump Rules or miss the old ones, one thing’s for sure — the queen of pink cocktails and restaurant drama isn’t going anywhere.