RHONJ alum Amber Marchese's husband Jim accused of withholding college money from his son James because he's gay
Jim Marchese, the husband of former Real Housewives of New Jersey star Amber Marchese, has been accused by his openly gay son James of not helping him with his college tuition because he disapproves of his sexuality.
James, who is Jim's son from a relationship prior to his marriage to Amber, posted a GoFundMe page June 15 soliciting donations for his college tuition, as first reported by the outlet Instinct.
James said that upon learning last year that he was gay, his father, 50, subjected him to 'two weeks of mental abuse' that led to him moving out from the home shared by Jim and Amber, who have also been seen on Marriage Boot Camp. (Instinct reported that Amber found gay material on the phone of James' brother, 'which eventually caused both to come out' to Jim.)
The latest: Jim Marchese, 50, the husband of former Real Housewives of New Jersey star Amber Marchese, 41, has been accused by his openly gay son James of not helping him with his college tuition because he disapproves of his sexuality, but he denies the claims, saying he doesn't like the choice of school
'Since this time, my father has been slowly cutting ties with me until I "live according to his standards,"' James said. 'Essentially, this meant - and still means - that I have to be "straight" and date women while "admitting" that I chose to be gay so that I could get something out of it from my mother.
'With this, my father has refused to help in paying for any schooling because he believes I have to live in his home and follow his preferred life-style to be good enough to receive any financial assistance with school.'
James said he's aimed on attending Connecticut's Fairfield University, and seeking $35,000 in his online campaign for his freshman year tuition. (He had nearly $8,500 in donations through the campaign's first 11 days as of Wednesday.)
James said has already received around $30,000 in scholarship assistance to offset the tuition, which is around $65,000 annually.
Reaching out: James, who is Jim's son from a relationship prior to his marriage to Amber, posted a GoFundMe page June 15 soliciting donations for his college
Candid: In an accompanying clip to the campaign, James said the donations gave him a sense of hope 'even though his dad was not going to accept' him
Family problems: Jim told the outlet Champion Daily that his son's GoFundMe page 'is a fraud,' and that his son is 'clearly trying to use Amber's celebrity stature to literally sucker people into paying'
'I hope to take what has happened with my father,' James said, 'and turn it into something positive.'
Jim subsequently denied his son's claims to multiple outlets, telling Radar he's 'not against the lifestyle' and that his refusal to pay was not about his son's sexuality, but school selection.
'The school is an utter waste of money,' he said. 'I offered to pay for part of Rutgers or another state school. I have three other children. No way that school is worth it. He wants a private school. He doesn't want to go to a state school.'
Jim he's has 'no relationship' with son James, adding that James has 'done everything to block that relationship.'
Outspoken: Bravo boss Andy Cohen, who made the couple famous putting them on the Real Housewives of New Jersey, was not shocked by Jim's alleged actions
Controversy: Jim made headlines last year for his views on the LGBTQ community, as he took to Twitter to defend Kevin Hart after Hart withdrew from hosting the Oscars after past anti-gay remarks circulated on social media
Jim further expounded to the outlet Champion Daily about the issue, telling the outlet the GoFundMe page 'is a fraud,' and that his son is 'clearly trying to use Amber's celebrity stature to literally sucker people into paying so this spoiled rich kid can attend an egregiously overpriced no name school.'
Bravo boss Andy Cohen responded to the story, saying in a tweet: 'I wish I could say I was surprised. Pathetic.'
Jim made headlines last year for his views on the LGBTQ community, as he took to Twitter to defend Kevin Hart after Hart withdrew from hosting the Oscars after past anti-gay remarks circulated on social media.
'So true NO STRAIGHT MALE wants his son to be gay,' Jim said in a December 2018 tweet. 'A gay son is a curse that takes away your #family #traditions #heritage … #lgtbiq is a parents nightmare that destroys families. Ruins holidays like #Christmas #KevinHart we support you! #LiberalismIsAMentalDisorder.'
