Alexandra Poolos, a former “60 Minutes” producer, has sued CBS for gender discrimination, retaliation, and contract breach.
The lawsuit claims that Poolos was fired in 2022 as a result of allegations that she had intimidated an associate producer. She claims that CBS handled her termination improperly and that “sexism and misogyny defined the workplace” at the network.
The complaint reads: “Poolos is not aware of CBS firing male ’60 Minutes’ employees based on a single complaint from a subordinate about behavior that was not alleged to constitute unlawful discrimination or retaliation.”
“In contrast with its harsh treatment of Poolos, CBS has declined to take any meaningful disciplinary action in response to serious allegations of misconduct against male employees,” the complaint continues.
Poolos also mentions other past and present CBS workers who have been accused of sexual misconduct and harassment and claims the network did nothing to address those issues. She also claims that a former boss “emotionally abused and sexually harassed her” for several years.
One name that comes up is Neeraj Khemlani, the former president of CBS News who left his position in August. Poolos claims that Khemlani was the subject of several complaints from women and people of color but that the network failed to take action against him promptly.
“Despite the many complaints about his abusive behavior from CBS employees, particularly women and people of color, Khemlani has faced no meaningful consequences for his abusive behavior and remains associated with CBS,” the complaint reads.
Poolos alleges gender discrimination, retaliation, and breach of contract. She is requesting a court order compelling CBS to implement or reinforce antidiscrimination measures, as well as punitive penalties.
Citing a policy regarding pending litigation, CBS refrained from commenting.
The top prosecutor in New York revealed a $30.5 million deal with CBS and Moonves last year for covering up sexual assault complaints against him and deceiving the company’s investors about his misbehavior. After a group of women made some public charges, Moonves resigned in 2018.
After nearly five years as an editorial producer at CNN, Poolos switched to CBS. She started working for the network in 2011 as an associate producer, and from May 2018 until her firing.
First to report on the case was The Hollywood Reporter.
