Report: Paula Deen Admits to Using Racial Slur During Deposition

Paula Deen is coming under fire — but this time it has nothing to do with her cooking or Anthony Bourdain.

Deen is being accused of racism after a report first published by the National Enquirer alleges that the celebrity cook admitted to using the N-word. Deen's alleged confession came during a May 17 deposition for a $1.2 million discrimination lawsuit filed against Deen by one of her former restaurant managers, Lisa Jackson. Jackson is suing both Deen and brother, Earl "Bubba" Hiers, who co-owns a restaurant with her.

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According to the National Enquirer, which claims to have a videotape of the deposition, Deen confessed to using the N-word several times and said she once talked about wanting black waiters to play the role of slave in a wedding party she was planning.

In a select portion of the deposition, obtained by TMZ, Deen admitted to using the N-word when she was held up at gunpoint during a bank robbery in 1986. She said that she had used the word when the culprit, whom she says was a black man, put a gun to her head and says she also used the word when recounting the incident to her husband. However, Deen denies that she uses the word frequently. "That's just not a word that we use as time has gone on. Things have changed since the '60s in the south. And my children and my brother object to that word being used in any cruel or mean behavior. As well as I do," she says, according to the obtained documents.

Deen's rep echoed this in a statement issued to TMZ about the documents. "Ms. Deen does not condone or find the use of racial epithets acceptable. She is looking forward to her day in court."  

What do you think of Deen's comments?