ABC Signature will pay 3 million to settle a lawsuit brought by the California Civil Rights Department (Crd) regarding sexual harassment and retaliation allegations on the set of “Criminal Minds.”
The suit, which was filed in May 2020, alleged that cinematographer Greg St. Johns subjected multiple male crew members to sexual harassment including unwanted touching and caressing, and made unwelcome and threatening comments.
According to a press release issued by Crd on Monday, ABC Signature as well as “other production companies” and “individual producers” ignored the harassment and fired crew members who complained about it. The harassment and retaliation violated the Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Ralph Civil Rights Act and a provision in the Civil Code that prohibits sexual harassment in business, service and professional relationships.
“Pursuant to a three-year consent decree resolving this case, ABC Signature will pay 3 million for a
class of approximately twelve individuals, revise and distribute...
The suit, which was filed in May 2020, alleged that cinematographer Greg St. Johns subjected multiple male crew members to sexual harassment including unwanted touching and caressing, and made unwelcome and threatening comments.
According to a press release issued by Crd on Monday, ABC Signature as well as “other production companies” and “individual producers” ignored the harassment and fired crew members who complained about it. The harassment and retaliation violated the Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Ralph Civil Rights Act and a provision in the Civil Code that prohibits sexual harassment in business, service and professional relationships.
“Pursuant to a three-year consent decree resolving this case, ABC Signature will pay 3 million for a
class of approximately twelve individuals, revise and distribute...
- 12/19/2022
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Disney is asking an L.A. judge to dismiss a sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation complaint from California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing for being “hopelessly vague” about which Criminal Minds workers it’s suing on behalf of.
In May 2020, Dfeh sued Disney, ABC and other companies and individuals connected to the procedural. The agency alleges that director of photography Greg St. Johns “engaged in sexual harassment, discrimination and harassment” against on-set workers, and it filed a complaint on behalf of “a group of persons who worked on set for the production of the television series Criminal ...
In May 2020, Dfeh sued Disney, ABC and other companies and individuals connected to the procedural. The agency alleges that director of photography Greg St. Johns “engaged in sexual harassment, discrimination and harassment” against on-set workers, and it filed a complaint on behalf of “a group of persons who worked on set for the production of the television series Criminal ...
- 1/19/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Disney is asking an L.A. judge to dismiss a sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation complaint from California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing for being “hopelessly vague” about which Criminal Minds workers it’s suing on behalf of.
In May 2020, Dfeh sued Disney, ABC and other companies and individuals connected to the procedural. The agency alleges that director of photography Greg St. Johns “engaged in sexual harassment, discrimination and harassment” against on-set workers, and it filed a complaint on behalf of “a group of persons who worked on set for the production of the television series Criminal ...
In May 2020, Dfeh sued Disney, ABC and other companies and individuals connected to the procedural. The agency alleges that director of photography Greg St. Johns “engaged in sexual harassment, discrimination and harassment” against on-set workers, and it filed a complaint on behalf of “a group of persons who worked on set for the production of the television series Criminal ...
- 1/19/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing is suing Disney, ABC Studios and CBS Studios over a sexual harassment case, alleging that the companies turned a blind eye to sexual harassment on set by former “Criminal Minds” cinematographer Greg St. Johns.
According to the lawsuit, which was filed on May 19 in California Superior Court, St. Johns habitually touched men’s genitals on set without their consent and punished those who objected over the 14 years he worked on the ABC and CBS co-production.
“On a frequent and regular basis, St. Johns touched numerous men on the testicles, anus, butt cheeks, breasts, and kissed or caressed their necks, shoulders, and ears, among other actions. St. Johns doted on certain men and treated them more favorably, provided they acquiesced to his attention. To those who resisted, he retaliated in common patterns, including the silent treatment, social ostracism, unfair criticism, public shaming, and ultimately termination,...
According to the lawsuit, which was filed on May 19 in California Superior Court, St. Johns habitually touched men’s genitals on set without their consent and punished those who objected over the 14 years he worked on the ABC and CBS co-production.
“On a frequent and regular basis, St. Johns touched numerous men on the testicles, anus, butt cheeks, breasts, and kissed or caressed their necks, shoulders, and ears, among other actions. St. Johns doted on certain men and treated them more favorably, provided they acquiesced to his attention. To those who resisted, he retaliated in common patterns, including the silent treatment, social ostracism, unfair criticism, public shaming, and ultimately termination,...
- 5/26/2020
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing has filed a discrimination suit against Disney and CBS Studios, alleging the companies allowed Criminal Minds cinematographer Greg St. Johns to get away with sexual harassment for 14 years.
The suit alleges that St. Johns touched men on the groin and butt, and kissed and caressed their necks and shoulders.
It also claims that, over the years, more than a dozen men were fired for complaining about his behavior.
ABC and CBS jointly produced the drama that aired on CBS for 15 seasons.
St. Johns exited the show in 2018 when it emerged that crew members had complained on multiple occasions about his behavior.
Variety reported at the time that the staffer was kept on the show despite the abuse allegations.
The lawsuit was filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court and names Disney, ABC Studios and CBS Studios as defendants.
Executive producers Erica Messer,...
The suit alleges that St. Johns touched men on the groin and butt, and kissed and caressed their necks and shoulders.
It also claims that, over the years, more than a dozen men were fired for complaining about his behavior.
ABC and CBS jointly produced the drama that aired on CBS for 15 seasons.
St. Johns exited the show in 2018 when it emerged that crew members had complained on multiple occasions about his behavior.
Variety reported at the time that the staffer was kept on the show despite the abuse allegations.
The lawsuit was filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court and names Disney, ABC Studios and CBS Studios as defendants.
Executive producers Erica Messer,...
- 5/26/2020
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Disney, CBS Sued Over ‘Criminal Minds’ Sexual Harassment by California Department of Fair Employment
The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing has filed a discrimination suit against Disney and CBS Studios, alleging the companies allowed “Criminal Minds” cinematographer Greg St. Johns to get away with sexual harassment for 14 years.
According to the suit, St. Johns habitually touched men on the groin and butt, and kissed and caressed their necks and shoulders. The suit alleges that, over the years, more than a dozen men were fired for complaining about his behavior.
ABC and CBS co-produced the show, which ran for 15 seasons on CBS. St. Johns left the show after Variety reported in 2018 that crew members had repeatedly complained about his behavior, but that management had done nothing about it.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, names Disney, ABC Studios and CBS Studios as defendants. Also named are four executive producers on the show — Erica Messer, Harry Bring, Breen Frazier and Glenn Kershaw — and co-producer Stacey Beneville.
According to the suit, St. Johns habitually touched men on the groin and butt, and kissed and caressed their necks and shoulders. The suit alleges that, over the years, more than a dozen men were fired for complaining about his behavior.
ABC and CBS co-produced the show, which ran for 15 seasons on CBS. St. Johns left the show after Variety reported in 2018 that crew members had repeatedly complained about his behavior, but that management had done nothing about it.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, names Disney, ABC Studios and CBS Studios as defendants. Also named are four executive producers on the show — Erica Messer, Harry Bring, Breen Frazier and Glenn Kershaw — and co-producer Stacey Beneville.
- 5/26/2020
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Actress Afton Williamson announced in a lengthy Instagram post on Sunday that she will not return for the second season of the ABC cop drama “The Rookie,” accusing the show’s hair department head of repeated instances of racial discrimination and sexual harassment that she said went ignored by the showrunner despite her complaints.
In the Instagram post, Williamson accused the show’s hair department of “Racial Discrimination/Racially Charged inappropriate comments” and also accused the show’s executive producers of bullying her on set.
She also accused showrunner Alexi Hawley of not passing on her complaints to human resources and said that the hair department head — whom she did not identify by name — was only fired after a “sexual assault” incident she said she suffered at the show’s wrap party.
Also Read: 11 Lowest-Rated Broadcast TV Shows of the 2018-19 Season That Have Been Renewed - So Far (Photos)
In addition,...
In the Instagram post, Williamson accused the show’s hair department of “Racial Discrimination/Racially Charged inappropriate comments” and also accused the show’s executive producers of bullying her on set.
She also accused showrunner Alexi Hawley of not passing on her complaints to human resources and said that the hair department head — whom she did not identify by name — was only fired after a “sexual assault” incident she said she suffered at the show’s wrap party.
Also Read: 11 Lowest-Rated Broadcast TV Shows of the 2018-19 Season That Have Been Renewed - So Far (Photos)
In addition,...
- 8/4/2019
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
A former “Criminal Minds” employee said in a lawsuit filed Friday that the show’s longtime director of photography subjected him to continuous sexual harassment — including touching his genitals and rubbing his earlobes.
Todd Durboraw filed the lawsuit Friday in California Superior Court against former director of photography Greg St. Johns, as well as other defendants including CBS Corporation, ABC Studios, Entertainment Partners Enterprises LLC, and Warner Bros. Entertainment.
None of the defendants immediately responded to TheWrap’s request for comment Friday.
Also Read: 'Why Women Kill' Trailer: Ginnifer Goodwin Wants to Know When Her Husband Will Die (Video)
The filing states that Durboraw believes St. Johns has been fired from “Criminal Minds.”
Durboraw claims that when he was a second assistant cameraperson on the show, on multiple occasions St. Johns touched his body sexually, including touching his sexual organ, anus, groin and or buttocks. He said St. Johns would also touch his earlobes.
Todd Durboraw filed the lawsuit Friday in California Superior Court against former director of photography Greg St. Johns, as well as other defendants including CBS Corporation, ABC Studios, Entertainment Partners Enterprises LLC, and Warner Bros. Entertainment.
None of the defendants immediately responded to TheWrap’s request for comment Friday.
Also Read: 'Why Women Kill' Trailer: Ginnifer Goodwin Wants to Know When Her Husband Will Die (Video)
The filing states that Durboraw believes St. Johns has been fired from “Criminal Minds.”
Durboraw claims that when he was a second assistant cameraperson on the show, on multiple occasions St. Johns touched his body sexually, including touching his sexual organ, anus, groin and or buttocks. He said St. Johns would also touch his earlobes.
- 7/27/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
A Criminal Minds crewmember claims he was repeatedly sexually harassed by a supervisor on set, according to a complaint filed Friday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Todd Durboraw, a 2nd assistant cameraman, alleges that Greg St. Johns, whose title was director of photography at the time, touched him in a sexual manner "approximately two to three times a week on average" from the time the plaintiff was hired and began working for the defendant in 2011.
Durboraw is suing St. Johns, ABC Studios, CBS, Warner Bros. and Entertainment Partners Enterprises, alleging a host of claims including assault, battery,...
Todd Durboraw, a 2nd assistant cameraman, alleges that Greg St. Johns, whose title was director of photography at the time, touched him in a sexual manner "approximately two to three times a week on average" from the time the plaintiff was hired and began working for the defendant in 2011.
Durboraw is suing St. Johns, ABC Studios, CBS, Warner Bros. and Entertainment Partners Enterprises, alleging a host of claims including assault, battery,...
- 7/26/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The long-running CBS procedural “Criminal Minds” has been renewed for a fifteenth season, which will also be the show’s last, Variety has confirmed.
The final season will consist of 10 episodes. The final 10 episodes will be shot back-to-back with the Season 14 episodes currently in production. With the final 10 episodes, the show will have aired 325 episodes when it ends its run, making it one of the longest-running shows in television history.
The show revolves around an elite team of FBI profilers who analyze the country’s most twisted criminal minds, anticipating their next moves before they strike again. It currently stars Joe Mantegna, Paget Brewster, Matthew Gray Gubler, A.J. Cook, Aisha Tyler, Kirsten Vangsness, Adam Rodriguez, and Daniel Henney. The series was created by Jeff Davis and is executive produced by Mark Gordon, Erica Messer, and Breen Frazier. ABC Studios produces in association with CBS Television Studios.
The series has been...
The final season will consist of 10 episodes. The final 10 episodes will be shot back-to-back with the Season 14 episodes currently in production. With the final 10 episodes, the show will have aired 325 episodes when it ends its run, making it one of the longest-running shows in television history.
The show revolves around an elite team of FBI profilers who analyze the country’s most twisted criminal minds, anticipating their next moves before they strike again. It currently stars Joe Mantegna, Paget Brewster, Matthew Gray Gubler, A.J. Cook, Aisha Tyler, Kirsten Vangsness, Adam Rodriguez, and Daniel Henney. The series was created by Jeff Davis and is executive produced by Mark Gordon, Erica Messer, and Breen Frazier. ABC Studios produces in association with CBS Television Studios.
The series has been...
- 1/11/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Though their treatment has been less scrutinized than that of actors and writers in the #MeToo era, below-the-line crew members are particularly vulnerable to workplace abuse.
That was apparent when a representative from Iatse Local 600 — the Intl. Cinematographers Guild — visited the set of “Criminal Minds” Oct. 4, two days after Variety first reported on allegations of sexual harassment and retaliatory firings against director of photography Greg St. Johns. The union rep spoke to at least one camera operator and left business cards but, according to sources, fielded no formal complaint about workplace conditions. As one crew member told Variety, “We were all working or too scared to talk.”
While the crew members are protected by union representation and increasingly detailed policies about workplace behavior, the peculiar work arrangements that govern crew employment discourage them from reporting misconduct and limit their options for recourse.
St. Johns is accused of verbal abuse, touching...
That was apparent when a representative from Iatse Local 600 — the Intl. Cinematographers Guild — visited the set of “Criminal Minds” Oct. 4, two days after Variety first reported on allegations of sexual harassment and retaliatory firings against director of photography Greg St. Johns. The union rep spoke to at least one camera operator and left business cards but, according to sources, fielded no formal complaint about workplace conditions. As one crew member told Variety, “We were all working or too scared to talk.”
While the crew members are protected by union representation and increasingly detailed policies about workplace behavior, the peculiar work arrangements that govern crew employment discourage them from reporting misconduct and limit their options for recourse.
St. Johns is accused of verbal abuse, touching...
- 10/17/2018
- by Daniel Holloway
- Variety Film + TV
“Criminal Minds” executive producer Erica Messer went to the show’s set Oct. 2 to address the crew. But the occasion was not, as she had hoped, to announce that CBS had ordered additional episodes for the series’ 13th season.
It was to inform crew members that at 4 p.m. Variety would publish a story about “Criminal Minds” director of photography Greg St. Johns and the sexual harassment, workplace abuse and retaliatory firing allegations against him. After saying that St. Johns would be taking time off as a result, she bemoaned that the allegations would go public amid a publicity push for the new season, which began Oct. 3 with the series’ 300th episode.
“It’s really s—-y timing that it’s happening on the eve of our 300th premiere,” Messer said, according to audio of the roughly two-minute talk obtained by Variety. “But we have our fabulous cast that’s...
It was to inform crew members that at 4 p.m. Variety would publish a story about “Criminal Minds” director of photography Greg St. Johns and the sexual harassment, workplace abuse and retaliatory firing allegations against him. After saying that St. Johns would be taking time off as a result, she bemoaned that the allegations would go public amid a publicity push for the new season, which began Oct. 3 with the series’ 300th episode.
“It’s really s—-y timing that it’s happening on the eve of our 300th premiere,” Messer said, according to audio of the roughly two-minute talk obtained by Variety. “But we have our fabulous cast that’s...
- 10/9/2018
- by Daniel Holloway
- Variety Film + TV
When “Criminal Minds” returns to CBS Wednesday night, it will do so with Greg St. Johns again aboard as director of photography. St. Johns has been a constant on the show, one of broadcast’s longest running current dramas, rising from A-camera operator when the ABC Studios series premiered in 2006 to his current position as Dp, which he was promoted to in 2007.
He has remained in that role ever since, despite a human resources probe this year into allegations of abusive behavior and an open investigation by the state of California into a claim that St. Johns sexually harassed and retaliated against a former crew member. In interviews with Variety, 19 former or current “Criminal Minds” staffers described how St. Johns has fostered a toxic environment on set, groping male staffers, threatening them physically, and firing anyone who complained. Several crew members said that they reported St. Johns’ behavior to the show’s senior management,...
He has remained in that role ever since, despite a human resources probe this year into allegations of abusive behavior and an open investigation by the state of California into a claim that St. Johns sexually harassed and retaliated against a former crew member. In interviews with Variety, 19 former or current “Criminal Minds” staffers described how St. Johns has fostered a toxic environment on set, groping male staffers, threatening them physically, and firing anyone who complained. Several crew members said that they reported St. Johns’ behavior to the show’s senior management,...
- 10/2/2018
- by Daniel Holloway
- Variety Film + TV
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