TV Chef Made Sex Abuse Settlement, Man Insists But Star Of ‘Frugal Gourmet’ Denies Reaching Any Agreement With Anyone

A Tacoma man says his testimony squelched a settlement agreement between “Frugal Gourmet” Jeff Smith and another man who accused Smith of sexual abuse. Smith and his lawyers claim the agreement never existed.

Larry Moore told The Oregonian in a story published Wednesday that his testimony was used to deny Clinton Smith the last two payments of a $1 million settlement from Jeff Smith, the television personality and cookbook author. Moore said he made the testimony in the form of an affidavit, a copy of which he presented to The Oregonian.

Clinton Smith of Eatonville, Wash., who is not related to Jeff Smith, is one of eight men seeking damages from Jeff Smith for sexual assaults they say occurred when they were teenagers.

Among other things, Clinton Smith has asked the court to rule on the validity of a 1991 agreement with Jeff Smith. Clinton Smith says the agreement’s confidentiality provisions are unfair because their intent was to cover up wrongdoing by Jeff Smith.

Jeff Smith and his attorney, Ed Winskill, have repeatedly denied the existence of any settlement or agreement with anyone. Winskill declined comment on The Oregonian’s story.

Moore said he was involved in a business arrangement with Clinton Smith in 1992, but that Clinton Smith failed to make good on a promise to invest $333,000 in a hair salon. Clinton Smith told Moore the money was coming from a legal settlement with Jeff Smith.

Angered by Clinton Smith’s actions, Moore said he contacted Jeff Smith and told him that Clinton Smith had revealed the source of his money.

Moore said he was then asked to testify before an arbitrator, who determined that Clinton Smith had violated terms of an agreement with Jeff Smith. As a result, two payments totaling more than $600,000 were denied to Clinton Smith, Moore said.

Clinton Smith’s attorney, Tom Burke, refused comment on Moore’s statement.

Both Clinton Smith’s complaint, filed April 21, and Moore’s affidavit are currently under court seal, according to the Pierce County Superior Court clerk’s office.