( CNN ) -- Celebrity chef Paula Deen 's sons staunchly defended their mother Tuesday , saying allegations of racism are false `` character assassination . '' `` Neither one of our parents ever taught us to be bigoted toward any other person for any reason , '' Bobby Deen told CNN 's `` New Day '' in an exclusive interview with Chris Cuomo . `` Our mother is one of the most compassionate , good-hearted , empathetic people that you 'd ever meet , '' he added . `` These accusations are very hurtful to her , and it 's very sad . '' In a recent lawsuit deposition , Deen admitted having used the `` N-word '' long ago . The suit alleges discrimination and racism at two of Deen 's restaurants . But the Deen sons -- also chefs with TV shows , and part of their family 's restaurant businesses -- insisted the depictions of their mother are an effort by the plaintiff to get a chunk of the family fortune . `` I 'm disgusted by the entire thing , because it began as extortion and it has become character assassination , '' Bobby Deen said . Official : Food Network will not renew Paula Deen 's contract . Jamie Deen said it 's `` ridiculous , completely absurd to think there is an environment of racism in our business , and it 's really disrespectful to the people that we work with . We have strong , educated men and women of character that have been with us for five , 10 , 15 , 20 years . To think they would allow themselves to be in this position is simply baloney . It 's ridiculous . '' When he was a child , Jamie Deen said , his parents taught him the story of his hero , baseball legend Hank Aaron . They explained that `` the challenges ( Aaron ) had to overcome because of his color was unacceptable . '' Paula Deen 's fortune has taken a hit in recent days as the Food Network dropped her , as did Smithfield Foods , one of her key sponsors . There are questions now over whether other businesses including QVC and Walmart may cut ties with the star of Southern cooking . Paula Deen : From the frying pan to the firestorm . The lawsuit . Deen and her brother are being sued for alleged sexual and racial harassment by a former manager of Deen 's restaurants in Savannah , Georgia . Lisa T. Jackson 's lawsuit alleges that Deen and Bubba Hier committed numerous acts of violence , discrimination and racism that resulted in the end of her five-year tenure at Deen 's Lady & Sons and Uncle Bubba 's Oyster House eateries in Savannah . When Dean was questioned under oath for a deposition , she was asked whether she had used the `` N-word . '' Deen answered that she had probably used the racial slur when talking to her husband about `` when a black man burst into the bank that I was working at and put a gun to my head . '' iReport : Defending Paula Deen . Asked whether she had used the word since , she responded , `` I 'm sure I have , but it 's been a very long time . '' Jackson 's lawsuit also claims Deen wanted to plan a party in the style of a Southern plantation , staffed with black waiters dressed to resemble slaves . In her deposition , Deen said she was speaking of an experience she had had recently in which the wait staff was composed of black men in white jackets and bowties , and that she had said she would love for Hier to `` experience a very Southern style wedding '' such as that . `` I did not mean anything derogatory by saying I loved their look and their professionalism , '' she added . Transcript of Paula Deen 's testimony . Deen 's lawyer rejects the lawsuit 's claims of racism . `` Contrary to media reports , Ms. Deen does not condone or find the use of racial epithets acceptable , '' Bill Franklin said . `` She is looking forward to her day in court . '' In a video online last week , Paula Deen , 66 , apologized to `` to those that I have hurt . '' `` My family and I are not the kind of people the press are wanting to say we are , '' she said . `` ... Your color , your religion , your sexual preference does not matter to me . But it 's what 's in the heart , and my family and I try to live by that . '' Bobby Deen said the `` N-word '' was not part of their vocabulary at home . `` That word , that horrifying , terrible word that exists and I abhor it coming from any person -- ... we were n't raised in a home where that word was used . '' Pastor friend says Deen ca n't be a racist . Watch New Day weekdays at 6am-9am ET . For the latest on New Day click here .
NEW : It 's `` absurd '' to think there 's racism in the family business , Paula Deen says . NEW : In deposition , Jamie Deen spoke of `` slur style '' event with black men in white jackets . Smithfield Foods and The Food Network have dropped her . Paula Deen has apologized in a video .