Miami TV's Michele Gillen Settles Gender, Age Bias Lawsuit Against CBS
The longtime investigative journalist claimed she was a victim of a "culture of toxic misogyny" at the Miami station and the CBS network.
December 11, 2019 at 01:28 PM
3 minute read
Michele Gillen, one of the best-known faces in South Florida broadcast news, reached a confidential settlement to resolve her age and gender discrimination lawsuit against the CBS-owned WFOR-TV shortly before a scheduled trial.
Gillen left the station after 19 years in 2016 and sued in 2018 after the #MeToo movement gained steam, claiming a "culture of toxic misogyny … had been thriving at CBS" from Miami management to its New York headquarters.
Gillen, a former anchor and winner of 38 regional Emmy awards, was the Miami station's chief investigative reporter when her contract was not renewed.
Her lawsuit was filed by Napoli Shkolnik attorneys days after CBS Corp. chairman Les Moonves resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment and abuse.
A one-paragraph notice of settlement was filed less than two weeks before the Dec. 9 trial date set by U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith in Miami.
Gillen's lawsuit claimed she was a victim of a " 'good ole boy's club' culture, which fosters misogyny, places men on a pedestal, elevates and protects men despite bad behavior, emboldens and protects bullies and, often with the help of bullies, pushes women out who are beyond the age of forty."
She said her complaints to management in Miami and New York about abusive behavior by coworkers, transferred assignments and limited air time in spite of a story quota set only for her were dismissed with curt comments like " you can't claim discrimination, you have a female news director."
Gillen was called into work "to cover potential breaking news" and was blindsided by the station general manager, who said her position was terminated after a review of her salary and output, the lawsuit claimed. The complaint said the explanation was a ruse and her dismissal was retaliation for reporting discrimination.
The lawsuit was administratively closed with a motion to dismiss due to be filed Dec. 20.
Gillen was represented by Napoli partner Louise Caro of Miami, who had no comment Wednesday on the details of the case.
"We are still in process," she said. "We're still pending final settlement."
The federal docket in the case lists eight Akerman attorneys representing the station and CBS. Calls for comment to two of them were not returned by deadline.
"WFOR-TV, CBS and Michele Gillen have reached an amicable resolution. The parties will have no additional comment," Mike Nelson, CBS Television Stations senior vice president of communications, said in a emailed statement.
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