Paula Deen Admits to Using Racist Slur in Deposition

with those pretty shocking revelations from paula deen, responding to a lawsuit by a former employee, accusing the icon of using racist slurs. Reporter: She's written 14 best-selling cookbooks as the... See More

with those pretty shocking revelations from paula deen, responding to a lawsuit by a former employee, accusing the icon of using racist slurs. Reporter: She's written 14 best-selling cookbooks as the queen of a nearly $16 million empire. And the self-described face of southern cooking and all things butter. In an ongoing lawsuit with a former employee, paula deen is now fighting accusations that she secretly erases. In newly-released transcripts from her deposition last month, deen is asked, quote, have you ever used the "n" word yourself? Yes, of course, she says. Later, she says, I'm sure I have but it's been a long time. And she suggested to an assistant that she hire middle-aged black men to dress up in jackets and bow ties for a plantation wedding. She said she didn't mean anything derogatory. There's a potential for paula deen's career to collapse like a b bad souffle right now. Reporter: Deen is being sued by a former employee, saying deen's brother racially harassed emoyees and deen knew but did nothing about it. Aside from their restaurant in savannah, they weren't taking it well. I don't like black people pot roast. And lynchen lemonade. In an statement, her attorneys say ms. Deen doesn't condone or find the use of racial epithetss acceptable. Her lawyers threatened to go public if deen didn't settle. Overnight, the food network, home to deen's cooking shows, says it does not tolerate any form of discrimination and will continue to monitor the situation. For "good morning america," steve osunsami, abc news, atlanta. Tough things to explain.