"The View" co-host Sunny Hostin has responded to allegations of insurance fraud against her husband, Dr. Emmanuel "Manny" Hostin, calling the lawsuit a "disgusting media smear campaign" designed to avoid paying for medical procedures. The lawsuit, filed by American Transit Insurance Co., names Dr. Hostin and his practice among over 180 defendants in a federal RICO case.

Hostin asserts that American Transit, which insures ride-sharing companies in New York, has a history of frivolous lawsuits and is currently facing financial difficulties. She accuses the company of leveraging her public profile to damage her husband's reputation and intends to countersue for defamation, seeking $5 million in damages, a figure she says could rise.

The lawsuit alleges that Dr. Hostin received kickbacks for performing unnecessary surgeries on patients involved in minor traffic accidents. It cites two specific cases from January 2023 where patients with soft-tissue injuries underwent arthroscopic surgery, despite the minimal impact of the collisions.

While the situation has reportedly been discussed internally at "The View," Hostin has not yet addressed the lawsuit publicly on the show. Legal experts suggest that the RICO classification of the lawsuit could lead to protracted legal battles and significant financial consequences for the defendants. The case is likely to continue unfolding in the coming months.