RHOC’s Gretchen Rossi ordered to pay $40,000+ to Jay Photoglou

The embittered legal battle between The Real Housewives of Orange County‘s Gretchen Rossi and former boyfriend Jay Photoglou has taken another step in Photoglou’s favor as an Orange County Judge rules the bombshell blond must fork over $40,799.38 in attorney’s fees “after several of the claims she made in her lawsuit were dismissed,” according to TMZ.

That’s right, Gretchen is forking out the big bucks because of her defamation suit against Jay! D’oh!

This latest chapter once again seems to validate Photoglou’s initial claims that he was Gretchen’s boyfriend at the same time she was allegedly engaged to Jeff Bietzel. Gretchen’s relationship with the terminally ill Bietzel was featured on the television show and the Photoglou issue was brought up by Gretchen’s cast mate Tamra Barney during The Real Housewives of Orange County season 4 reunion special.

You can catch up on the initial Jay/Gretchen drama as well as their connection to Alexis Bellino HERE and read up on a previous court ruling in Jay’s favor for his lawsuit – which included an arrest warrant being issued for Gretchen Rossi – HERE.

Not familiar with Gretchen Rossi? Here’s one of our patented loooooooooooong last looks at the sexy reality starlet fromt he red carpet at the 2009 American Music Awards:

Photos: Russ Einhorn / Splash News