Lawsuit Alleging Unchecked Sexual Harassment on the Set of Popular TV Show Criminal Minds

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In recent news, Disney, CBS, and the Criminal Minds executive producers face allegations that any who resisted the advances of the popular TV show’s Director of Photography were terminated. The show’s final episode aired in February 2020 after a successful run of several seasons. In June of 2020, California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the different studios and executive producers behind the CBS show.

Allegations of Sexual Harassment Amid Successful Completion of CBS’s Criminal Minds:

The Los Angeles Superior Court complaint alleges sexual harassment and “sexual touching” by Gregory St. Johns, Director of Photography for CBS’s Criminal Minds. Court action is not new for St. Johns, but this action is different because accusations are not aimed at him alone – authorities are also going after The Walt Disney Company, CBS Studios, ABC Signature Studios, and several other individuals in connection to the alleged sexual harassment on set.

Were Workers on the Popular CBS TV Series Subjected to a Hostile Work Environment?

According to the suit, the defendants made it possible for St. Johns to create an intimidating, hostile, and offensive work environment that went unchecked. St. Johns was allegedly protected by the executive production team (showrunner Erica Messer, Executive Producer Harry Bring, Executive Producer John Breen Frazier, Director Glenn Kershaw, and Unit Production Manager Stacey Beneville).

The Executive Teams Allegedly Supported Unlawful Sexual Harassment and Discrimination:

According to the lawsuit, St. Johns’ sexual harassment continued for years without recourse. The executive team allegedly had actual knowledge of the abusive behavior St. Johns subjected other workers to on the job, and even condoned his unlawful conduct. The executive teams took no actions to prevent any sexual harassment or discrimination throughout the years. Instead of administering appropriate corrective actions for unlawful behavior, the executives fired anyone that resisted or evaded St. Johns’ abuse/advances.

Allegations of Rampant, Unchecked Sexual Harassment in the Workplace:

  • Anthony Matulic, former technician, allegedly resisted a butt slap and was fired after complaining.

  • Dauv McNeeley, video playback department worker, was dismissed after corroborating similar allegations against St. Johns.

  • Over a dozen other men were fired at St. Johns’ request due to similar scenarios.

Walt Disney’s Employee Relations department is accused of conducting several inadequate investigations allegedly designed to exonerate St. Johns due to various sexual harassment complaints. St. Johns was eventually removed, but only after a popular media outlet ran a story based on some of the allegations.

If you need to discuss how to file a discrimination lawsuit or wrongful termination lawsuit, please get in touch with Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik DeBlouw LLP. Experienced employment law attorneys are ready to assist you in any one of various law firm offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Chicago.