Eight years after Martha Stewart was released from prison for lying about a stock trade, the home diva is now facing another legal mess that may not be easy to clean up.
Stewart, 71, is scheduled to take the stand in New York State Supreme Court Tuesday. She is at the center of a bitter legal battle between two of the nation’s largest retailers — Macy’s Inc. and J.C. Penney Co.
Macy’s has sued the media and merchandising company Stewart founded for breaching an exclusive contract when she signed a deal with Penney in December 2011 to open shops at most of its stores this spring.
Macy’s, which has sold Martha Stewart products including towels and pots since 2007, is trying to block Penney from selling those products.