Judge Judy settles, returns pricey china

NEW YORK, March 16 (UPI) -- Judge Judy has settled with the ex-wife of her producer, who sued the New York judge over her purchase of the former couple's expensive china, TMZ reported.

Patric Jones -- the television judge's one-time producer and ex-wife of current executive producer Randy Douthit -- filed a lawsuit this month saying Judge Judy, Judith Sheindlin, fraudulently bought her set of china and flatware for a bargain-basement price of $50,000.

Jones said the china, which she estimated has a replacement value of $500,000, was community property in her divorce from Douthit -- and Sheindlin, as a judge, should have known she needed both spouses' consent for the purchase, ABC News reported.

Jones sued to have the china returned and sought $500,000 in punitive damages.

After initially admitting no fault in her purchase of the items, Sheindlin agreed to return the china and will not have to pay any damages in a settlement, TMZ reported.

Jones will have possession of the property and she will have to give Douthit $12,500 to buy him out, TMZ said.

Whether Sheindlin will ever see a return of the $50,000 she paid for the items was not reported.