Bachelor Nation’s latest foray into senior-focused dating reality TV has been surrounded by controversies. After the revelations about Gerry Turner and several The Golden Bachelorette contestants, the spotlight has now shifted to Joan Vassos, as details about her late husband’s hidden past have come to light.
The Golden Bachelorette star has been open about dealing with the loss of her husband, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2021. However, recent reports have revealed that her late husband, John Vassos, was awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to multiple charges before his passing.
Joan Vassos’ Late Husband’s Criminal Past Comes to Light
The Golden Bachelorette’s Joan Vassos has found herself in the hot waters after an old press release naming a “John Vassos of Bethesda, Maryland” in a mail fraud case surfaced on social media.
As per the press release, Vassos’ late husband was involved in a scheme with Keith Forney of Forney Enterprises Inc., and the President of Sharp Business Systems (SBS) “to obtain a contract with the Maryland Administrative Office of the Courts (Maryland AOC) for copier maintenance and repair services throughout the state’s court system.”
The 2020 press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, also states,
Vassos pled guilty in June 2017 to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, one count of tax fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Joan Vassos’ then-husband was awaiting sentencing when he passed away in 2021. The revelations have not only brought scrutiny upon Vassos but have also cast a shadow over the reality TV show, especially in light of past revelations about Gerry Turner.
Turner had faced criticism for allegedly misrepresenting aspects of his life before joining the show, including claims about his romantic history after his wife’s death and his career as a “retired restaurateur.” As per The Hollywood Reporter, he “last owned a restaurant in 1985, when he sold his Mr. Quick hamburger drive-in franchise in Iowa” and has since worked in sales and management roles in the meat industry.
The recent revelations about Bachelor Nation’s first Golden Bachelor and Bachelorette have drawn criticism. While expressed frustration and disappointment over the claims surrounding Vassos’ late husband, others argued that the past shouldn’t be scrutinized as John Vassos has passed away.
Fans React to Revelations About Joan Vassos’ Past
As the press release surfaced on Reddit, it sparked a flurry of reactions, with some users alleging that “Joan’s PR team, her kids, and the PR team for the [Bachelor]” have been trying to suppress the story.
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Others also criticized how the show has refrained from mentioning such legal troubles about Joan Vassos’ past and her late husband, even though he is frequently portrayed in a positive light as part of an “ideal” couple on the reality show.
Many viewers criticized Vassos for not being transparent about these details, with some stating, “If she expects her guys to be open books, why isn’t she?” Another Reddit user noted that they were surprised to see “a lead who could easily have this story tied to them.”
While many discussed that Vassos was likely aware of her late husband’s fraudulent activities, others came in her support, stating, “Joan is not responsible for her late husband’s choices. He has also passed. Let’s let the man rest.”
The controversy extends beyond Vassos and Gerry Turner, as revelations about other contestants on The Golden Bachelorette, including Gil Ramirez and Guy Gansert, have emerged.
Recent revelations about Ramirez include a history of stalking, with a temporary restraining order filed against him by an ex-girlfriend just three months ago. Guy Gansert’s ex-wife Heidi O’Gara filed a temporary protective order against him in October 2021.
These revelations have led many to question the vetting process for contestants, with some arguing that the Bachelor franchise needs to take a more thorough approach when selecting participants.
The Golden Bachelor is available to watch on Hulu.
All the released episodes of The Golden Bachelorette are available to watch on Hulu.
