Katherine Heigl has filed a defamation lawsuit against a California dog rescue organization, accusing it of orchestrating a ‘smear campaign’ that’s allegedly damaged her foundation’s reputation.

The Knocked Up actress, 45, and her mother, Nancy Heigl, 76, lodged the complaint on Wednesday against The Pitty Committee and its owner, Alyssa Deetman, in a California court.

The plaintiffs allege Deetman falsely accused their charity, the Jason Heigl Foundation (JHF), of mistreating rescue dogs and withholding funds, despite previously praising their work, according to court papers obtained by People.

As a result, they maintain the accusations have had a negative impact on the foundation’s ability to function in the rescue business.

The Heigls, who founded JHF in memory of Katherine’s late brother Jason, had entered into an agreement with The Pitty Committee (TPC) in January 2023. 

Under the deal, JHF would provide monthly donations in return for TPC rescuing a set number of dogs of JHF’s choosing.

Katherine Heigl’s Jason Heigl Foundation has filed a defamation lawsuit against the dog rescue organization The Pitty Committee and its owner, Alyssa Deetman, in a California court

But according to the complaint, Deetman viewed these contributions as a ‘blank cheque’ and requested additional funds outside of the agreement.

JHF claims it upheld its financial commitments, while TPC failed to meet its rescue obligations and ignored multiple requests for transparency. 

Read More Katherine Heigl on ‘turning down’ 2008 Grey’s Anatomy Emmy nomination

In January 2024, one year after the contract began, JHF opted not to renew the partnership due to concerns over financial and operational transparency.

The complaint states: ‘In response … Deetman engaged in an online smear campaign against JHF and the Heigls.’

‘Deetman made false, defamatory, and derogatory accusations that JHF and the Heigls have mistreated rescue dogs, failed to provide promised funding, and stole from TPC, all in an effort to ruin JHF and the Heigl’s reputation and/or coerce some sort of monetary payout,’ it read.

The complaint accuses Deetman and TPC of defamation, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage and breach of contract.

Taking to its Instagram on Thursday, The Pitty Committee shared a statement, writing, ‘It’s all coming to light guys. Katherine’s PR team may work hard but our rescue organization works harder.’

‘We filed suit against them in San Diego in January, but for some reason, media has not reported on it. They will though, I have issued a statement already.’

The plaintiffs, Heigl and her mother Nancy, allege TPC falsely accused their JHF charity of mistreating rescue dogs and withholding funds, according to court papers obtained by People

On Thursday TPC shared a statement, writing in part, ‘We filed suit against them in San Diego in January.. and that that the organization ‘tried to handle this behind the scenes’

We are suing the Heigl foundation for fraud and ‘intentionally infliction of emotional distress’ as a result of our 2023 business arrangement,’ TPC posted on Instagram

‘We followed through with our end of the bargain… ,’ the statement read, adding, ‘they (JHF) did not follow through on their financial obligations…’

The Heigls, who founded JHF in memory of Katherine’s late brother Jason, had entered into an agreement with The Pitty Committee (TPC) in January 2023

In the JHF complaint the Heigls are insisting that the case be brought to trial before a jury

It continued, ‘As many of us sadly know… Katherine and Nancy will *never* admit their wrongdoings. When they are cornered and approached, they react with bullying and smear campaigns. We tried to handle this behind the scenes to minimize blowback for Katherine’s career but they chose to handle things a different way. ‘

That next TPC statement read in part, ‘We are suing the Heigl foundation for fraud and ‘intentionally infliction of emotional distress’ as a result of our 2023 business arrangement, in which Katherine and her mom were to select 10 shelter dogs a month of their choosing for our Rescue organization to save, rehabilitate, and rehome.’

‘We followed through with our end of the bargain, saving very difficult dogs that required intense rehabilitation,’ Deetman’s statement read in part, before adding, ‘they (JHF) did not follow through on their financial obligations…’

In the JHF complaint the Heigls are insisting that the case be brought to trial before a jury.