Posted on 04/02/2015 7:39:57 PM PDT by Citizen Zed
A CBS celebrity reporter sued two of his bosses Thursday, saying they drunkenly groped him during boozy encounters that weren’t taken seriously by America’s Most Watched Network.
Ken Lombardi, 29, charges in documents filed in Manhattan Federal Court that at a December 2013 CBS News holiday party, Duane Tollison, a senior producer, grabbed Lombardi’s crotch and kissed his neck.
“I wanted to apologize if anything I did offended you or crossed a line. I like to get a little crazy. If you weren’t offended, then let’s do it again. LOL How is your day so far? :)” Tollison wrote the next day, according to the suit, which also names CBS as a defendant.
During a separate encounter this past May 8, Lombardi says he sought professional advice from “CBS Evening News” director Albert (Chip) Colley.
But instead of a review of Lombardi’s celeb interviews, Colley allegedly got wasted at Hell’s Kitchen bar Hardware and hit on the red-carpet reporter.
Lombardi charges that the news honcho — who has since left the company — texted him links to porn sites, rubbed his leg and kissed him. Colley also gave Lombardi a hard time for his sexuality, documents charge.
“Colley told (Lombardi) that he did not really believe being bisexual was real and told plaintiff that he was actually completely gay,” documents read.
Lombardi says that the newsroom bigwig hounded him for another date.
“He would show up in my office. I’d catch him following me in the hallway, exhibiting predatory behavior,” Lombardi said.
Since the encounter, Lombardi said he has developed signs of posttraumatic stress disorder and has frequent nightmares and panic attacks.
“The sound of ice hitting glass will trigger an episode — all of a sudden I’m back in that bar being assaulted by Chip again,” Lombardi said.
Efforts to report the harassment were not taken seriously by human resources and were instead met with retaliation, he says.
Lombardi singles out Paula Cohen, manager of the CBS News entertainment department, for allegedly tormenting him after his internal complaint went nowhere.
“You know you’re really p----ed me off!” Cohen, who is also named in the suit, allegedly yelled at Lombardi.
She also pointed her finger right in his face and refused to stop, documents charge.
“Cohen would smile and say ‘no’ as if defendant Cohen was amused by the torment she was causing plaintiff Lombardi,” documents read.
He was forced to quit in November, papers say.
Lombardi seeks damages to be determined for violation of labor laws, emotional distress and discrimination.
“We believe Mr. Lombardi’s claims are without merit and we intend to vigorously defend this lawsuit,” CBS Interactive spokeswoman Annie Rohrs said.
Lombardi’s attorney, Derek Smith, said the case shows sexual harassment is not just something men inflict on women. “This type of conduct is especially egregious when it happens at a company as reputable as CBS,” he said.
I believe every word except the last six.
Good luck 20th this suit. Gay privilege.
I see BS....
Cant he go harrass a pizza parlor?
HA!
I hope this guy wins...
CBS is reputable?
Note that they did not specify what type of reputation.
Anyone still don’t understand why the gay mafia has so much power?
Check if I am right.
An employee,(Call him Bi-Boy) supposed Bi-Sexual(Garden variety pervert, sleep with anything) is at a party with Perevrt #2 a Producer who is gay (standard, must be praised, pervert) and Producer grabs Bi-Boys’ package and kisses him on neck and leers at him at work. Bi-Boy then complains to a supervisor,(call him Possible Pervert #3) Possibly gay but not explicitly outed, decides the best way to handle the complaint is to go to a bar with Bi-Boy and proceed to get incredibly intoxicated and try to have sex worth Bi-Boy.
Have I got the timeline down?
Why would anyone hire these incrediblky sad pathetic people?
Will this faggotry get as much attention as David Letterman’s own near career tanking sexual harassment suit?
I guess since no one was turned down for pastries or pizza, this is a non issue.
“Efforts to report the harassment were not taken seriously by human resources.” Human resources at CBS are culpable and irresponsible.
True story: I was followed by a flaming young man at Cody’s bookstore in Berkeley on Telegraph back in 1996. The fag walked behind me through the store and at one point bent over and smiled. I said, “Get lost, freak.” I walked over the register, asked for the manager. Then Mr. Andy Ross who purchased the famous store in 1977 walked over to me to talk. He was a big guy like Bluto in Popeye. He listened, looked down, apologized, walked over to the flaming young man and said, “Get lost. Your fired.” He walked back to me, looked at me with sadness and said, “Thanks for letting me know. Sorry for the hassle.” I said. “No problem. Thanks for a great store. Sorry about all the bums outside.” He said, “That’s another story.” CBS should follow the professional example of Mr. Ross.
Complete Bull Shit a reputable company? On what planet?
Filed under: ‘Why you can no longer visit beautiful downtown Gomorrah.’
This is what’s going to happen in the military, except for the servicemen will have to frag their homo superiors to stop the behavior.
Nice try, but you're not allowed to win your own thread. :)
Since the encounter, Lombardi said he has developed signs of posttraumatic stress disorder and has frequent nightmares and panic attacks.
Well, I believe he said it, but I don't believe it's true. I mean, you know, c'mon!
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