CBS News correspondent Matt Gutman accused of harassment in wrongful termination suit against ABC
latimes.com • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Former ABC News field producer Samira Said has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against ABC News, its parent company The Walt Disney Co., and CBS News Chief Correspondent Matt Gutman, alleging inappropriate sexual remarks and a hostile work environment.
- Said claims Gutman made demeaning sexual comments during work assignments, including rating a female correspondent’s appearance and making sexualized insinuations about Said in front of coworkers.
- The lawsuit also alleges Said was wrongfully terminated after requesting medical leave for mental health issues following traumatic coverage assignments, with ABC News failing to provide reasonable accommodations as required by California law.
- Gutman, who left ABC News after 17 years to join CBS News in January, is named as a defendant but has not commented on the allegations; Disney and CBS News have also declined to comment.
- Said seeks compensatory and punitive damages as well as attorneys’ fees in the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.
