'Criminal' Showrunner Ed Brubaker, Amazon MGM Sued for Harassment

Key Points:

• Former production assistant Ijaaz Noohu has sued Amazon MGM Studios and Big Indie Pictures, alleging they ignored a hostile work environment on the crime drama series Criminal, created by showrunner Ed Brubaker.
• The lawsuit accuses Brubaker of sexual and racial harassment, religious discrimination, assault, and battery, including an incident where he allegedly pointed a loaded firearm at Noohu’s face and pulled the trigger.
• Noohu claims Brubaker made inappropriate comments involving sexual harassment and racial stereotypes, and retaliated by moving up Noohu’s exit date and barring him from the set after Noohu requested a promotion and challenged the misconduct.
• The lawsuit criticizes Amazon MGM and Big Indie for failing to investigate despite multiple witnesses, including senior producers, and alleges a culture of impunity fostered by executive producer Phillip Barnett, who discouraged documentation of complaints.
• Criminal is Brubaker’s first showrunner role, with Amazon MGM Studios formally ordering the series in 2024; Brubaker is a highly regarded comic book writer known for his work on Marvel and DC titles.