Former BET head Zola Mashariki has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the company and recently ousted executive Stephen Hill.
Page Six reports that Mashariki filed a discrimination lawsuit in the state of California.
In it she alleges:
The Company fosters a good old boys’ club atmosphere and mentality that are hostile to women and their advancement. This misogynistic culture, which marginalizes, demeans, and undervalues women, begins at the top of the corporate structure.
Hill, who resigned from BET in March is also named in the lawsuit. Mashariki, who served as the EVP and head of original programming, also reportedly resigned. But, in the lawsuit she claims she was still under contract and on medical leave after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She planned on returning in April.
“When Ms. Mashariki was at her weakest moment, Viacom, BET, and Defendant Hill escalated their retaliation against her, proffering that due to her disability, she could no longer represent BET,” states the complaint. “If Viacom’s and BET’s actions with respect to her leave were not enough, upon information and belief, a senior executive at BET suggested to Ms. Mashariki’s colleagues that she was ‘faking’ her breast cancer. These false and reprehensible statements caused irreparable damage to Ms. Mashariki by suggesting that she was a liar attempting to avoid the duties of her office.”
BET‘s parent company, VIACOM responded to Mashariki’s claims via statement saying, “These claims misrepresent the facts and are without merit. We strongly deny any allegation of wrongdoing and we intend to respond to the specific allegations in the course of legal proceedings. At Viacom and BET, we take the health and well-being of our employees very seriously and we are committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse workplace that supports the success of all employees.”
Hill has yet to respond.
Photo: WENN.com
