Derek, Melissa Gorga’s Store Manager Who Kim D. Accuses Of Selling Teresa Giudice Out, Just Quit

Did Melissa Gorga’s clothing boutique manager, Derek, really sell stories about Teresa Giudice to the tabloids? That’s what Kim DePaola claimed to Jacqueline Laurita and Siggy Flicker when the two visited her store for some clothes in preparation of the cast’s Vermont trip. As it turns out, Derek is no longer (or at least he won’t be for much longer) working as Melissa’s store manager.

About three days ago, Derek announced that he will no longer be working as Envy’s store manager. He called working at Envy an incredible experience and wished Melissa and everyone else there continued success. He also thanked all of the clients and friends he made while working there.

Does Derek’s departure from Envy have anything to do with the bombshell that Kim D. dropped on Sunday night’s episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey? As for why he’s leaving the store, Derek simply said that he has decided to move on with his career and to stay tuned for his next move.

On Sunday night’s episode, Siggy and Jacqueline went by Kim D.’s clothing boutique, Posche, for some new looks prior to the cast’s Vermont trip. While there, Kim D. suggested that Derek was selling stories about Teresa to the tabloids. Specifically, Kim D. said that Derek bragged at the last Posche fashion show that he sold the tape of Teresa selling her books for cash.

“But I heard through one of Melissa’s old employees that this kid Derek, who’s running her store, brags to everybody that he sells stories about Teresa. I’m thinking to myself, ‘You know what? This is the kid who sold the video at my fashion show of Teresa selling her books.'”

Jacqueline and Kim explained to Siggy that at the fashion show, Teresa was selling her books for cash because she didn’t have a credit card swiper. Jacqueline said that it ended up looking bad for Teresa because of her legal issues at the time. Kim then showed a photo of Derek holding a camera at Teresa signing a book for a fan.

“Here it is. And here’s Derek with the camera.”

Jacqueline and Siggy wondered if Kim D. was telling the truth. They decided to not pass judgment on it just yet but were, Jacqueline in particular, intrigued by Kim D.’s claim.

Later, at the Vermont resort, Jacqueline and Siggy told Melissa what Kim D. told them. Melissa defended Derek, saying that he had an Internet TV show at the time and dreamed of being a TV host, so he would go to celebrity events with a camera. In her confessional interview, Melissa dismissed Kim D. as a troublemaker.

“I swear Kim D., she’ll just like scrape at the bottom of the barrel to cause like turmoil. That’s how Kim D. rolls but now you’re onto like my 21-year-old employee? It’s so stupid.”

Melissa made it clear that she wasn’t going to listen to whatever Kim D. has to say, reminding people that Kim D. once tried to make people believe that she used to work as a stripper.

Both Siggy and Jacqueline urged Melissa to be cautious with Derek before fully trusting him. Asked if she thinks Derek sold her out, Teresa said that she wasn’t sure but cautioned Melissa to look into the matter.

In March of 2014, Radar Online reported that Teresa, who had just pleaded guilty to numerous conspiracy, mortgage, and bankruptcy fraud charges earlier in the month, held a cash-only book signing that didn’t give fans receipts in return for their purchases. The book signing took place at Kim D.’s Posche Spring Soiree.

According to the website, Teresa charged fans $25 for her autograph and photo. It quoted a source as saying that an employee of Teresa’s, as well as Teresa herself, told people that only cash was accepted. When cash was given, they didn’t provide receipts.

“When you walked up to her, the woman next to her was quick to advise that it was $25 and ‘cash only.’ Cash only? Who takes cash only? Even Teresa was telling guests it was ‘cash only, no receipts’ and she had bags of cash beside her where her colleague was collecting the money.”

According to the source, there was immediate speculation that Teresa was still trying to keep money from the government despite already being in hot waters with them.

“The reaction of everyone was priceless. It was the hot topic of the event. Why would someone insist on cash only? Everyone was saying it was clearly to avoid a paper trail of her sales… Some of Teresa’s friends were saying that the U.S. Government is likely to be garnishing her wages now that they’ve accepted plea deals. I wonder if Teresa was taking cash only so she could avoid having to declare that income? It’s a possibility.”

Laughing and bonding with my girl @Teresa_Giudice at the Posche Fashion Show ?? pic.twitter.com/2AaNsSjbCh

— Katie Gray ? (@xoxokatiegray) April 6, 2014

In previous seasons of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Kim DePaola frequently appeared in cameo roles as Teresa Giudice’s good friend. Now, however, it seems that Kim’s more of a friend to Jacqueline Laurita than Teresa. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Kim D. said in a recent interview that Teresa, under pressure from Melissa, is keeping her distance from her. Kim D. also claimed that Teresa’s supposed close relationship with Melissa is fake and that Teresa still can’t stand the sight of Melissa.

During Jacqueline’s appearance on Andy Cohen’s talk show Watch What Happens Live, when asked who she thinks is a “soldier” for Teresa, Jacqueline said that Kim D. no longer is one.

“Kim D. used to be.”

Jacqueline also gave her thoughts on whether Melissa’s clothing boutique gives Kim D.’s any competition.

“They’re two completely different stores. They’re forty minutes from each other, they’re very different lines. I don’t think they’re in competition with each other.”

Jacqueline then made it clear which store she would rather shop at by saying that she calls Melissa “MElissa” “because she’s very self-serving.”

Kim D. actually made a brief appearance on stage during Jacqueline’s Watch What Happens Live appearance. Obviously, Jacqueline and Kim D. are currently good friends.

SURPRISE! It's the GAY SHARK! And Kim D! #WWHL pic.twitter.com/YhcxZHnvSo

— WWHL (@BravoWWHL) September 26, 2016

Viewers will apparently see more of Kim DePaola on The Real Housewives of New Jersey. As the Inquisitr reported, Kim D. recently reiterated her claim that Melissa Gorga told other people to not shop and film at Posche. According to Kim D., viewers will see her confront Melissa about trying to sabotage her business in an upcoming episode. Perhaps viewers will also see Melissa questioning Derek and Teresa Giudice coming to Melissa’s defense when Kim confronts her?

[Featured Image by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images]