Matt Gutman no longer defendant in ex-ABC producer's workplace suit
USA Today • • entertainment
Key Points:
- CBS News Chief Correspondent Matt Gutman is set to be removed as a defendant from a wrongful-termination lawsuit filed by former ABC News producer Samira Said, who had accused him of making a "sexual insinuation" about her.
- Said's lawsuit alleges Gutman made inappropriate comments about a female correspondent's appearance and directed a sexualized insinuation toward her, which demeaned her professional judgment.
- The lawsuit also accuses ABC of requiring Said to work while on protected medical leave following psychological symptoms and a workplace injury, and alleges she was demoted and later fired under questionable circumstances.
- Said's attorney claims ABC's conduct violates the law and suggests the issues may reflect broader workplace misconduct, emphasizing the need for employees to speak out against injustice.
- Gutman, who joined CBS News in January, has faced prior controversy during his ABC tenure, including backlash over comments regarding texts from a suspect charged with a high-profile assassination.
