Rossi just won a big judgment against Jay Photoglou, who went on a campaign to trash her in the media. Photoglou had said he was her ex-BF and insisted he had sex with Gretchen while she was still with her fiance.

She says he was telling a pack of lies. The jury awarded Gretchen $500,000 for assault, stalking and infliction of emotional distress.

For safe measure, Gretchen, who was represented by attorney Gregory G. Brown, went back to court to get a permanent restraining order against Photoglou, which she received yesterday. He's required to stay 100 feet away from her and he can't call any of her businesses ... and that includes RHOC.