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Three former staffers of "America’s Funniest Home Videos" are alleging they were victims of a "predatory" and racist work environment.
In a new report by The Hollywood Reporter, Columbia Crandell, Tunisha Singleton, and Jessica Morse are speaking out and claiming they were victims of sexual misconduct, retaliation, and wrongful termination at Vin di Bona Productions, the company which produces "AFV."
Crandell, 25, alleges a male superior tried to take a picture up her skirt while in his office to test out a virtual reality (VR) headset. After she brought the complaint to her managers, Crandell claims her income was reduced from a salary to hourly pay.
She also filed a report with the Los Angeles Police Department in 2018. The incident was investigated but the District Attorney's Office declined to prosecute.
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Tunisha Singleton, 37, claims she was at a workplace comedy event with 50 other people when a superior started making jokes about Singleton “doing blow in the bathroom" and allegedly referred to her as a "crack whore."
“I was completely mortified,” she said. Singleton was laid off soon after that and claims it was because she didn't take the jokes well.
Three former female "AFV" employees are alleging they suffered distress suffering from predatory and racist behavior at work. (Michael Ansell/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images)
According to THR, on Singleton's last day, other employees received an email about participating in a harassment prevention training program.
The third woman, Jessica Morse, 24, says she was at the comedy event and voiced her concern about the actions that took place.
In a meeting with supervisors, she claims they told her: "'Well, you can’t always trust people. We’ve hired the best investigation team in America.' And then they said over and over, ‘If you say something about someone and it turns out not to be true, you can be legally responsible.’”
Morse resigned but wasn't allowed to finish out her last two weeks.
“It was so predatory to take advantage of people who desperately need jobs, desperately need to get a start,” Morse continued to the outlet. “They trust the name of a family TV institution, AFV. And they think that we’re not going to fight for ourselves. They think we’re not going to stand up for ourselves. They think we’re not going to expect any rights.”
In 2019, the three filed a civil lawsuit against Vin Di Bona Productions and its digital arm, FishBowl Worldwide Media as "Jane Roes." The plaintiffs alleged they were victims of "workplace racial and sexual harassment," according to THR.
The women are seeking damages in a lawsuit filed last year. (Michael Ansell/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images)
Representatives for "AFV" did not immediately respond to Fox News' request for comment.
An attorney for Vin di Bona Productions told Fox News in a statement on Friday: "Vin Di Bona Productions has taken these allegations very seriously from the moment they were raised two years ago. The company immediately retained an external expert, conducted a thorough investigation and implemented numerous protocols aimed at ensuring a safe, equitable and non-discriminatory workplace."
The statement noted that "the investigation revealed no evidence of wrongdoing at the time."
"We believe a swift resolution of this case is in the best interest of all parties who have been impacted, and we have been attempting to do just that since the claims were made," the statement added. "We encourage the plaintiffs’ counsel to allow the legal process to proceed efficiently and move to the merits."
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In addition, an attorney for the production company also told THR in a statement: "The physical, emotional and psychological safety of our employees is always our highest priority. When accusations are made, we, like any responsible organization, have an obligation to act swiftly, thoughtfully and respectfully to support the well-being and rights of all parties involved."
Meanwhile, the attorney for the three women, Barbara Cowan, told Fox News, "The survivors in this case have requested that the Court of Appeal vacate the order to compel arbitration. It is important that survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and racial discrimination do not feel thrust into the shadows of the secret world of arbitration. Only when secrecy stops can healing begin."
Cowan added, "I would also note that we have heard from now 5 other survivors since the article came out, regarding sexual and racial harassment at VDB/Fishbowl."
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The former employees suing the company are seeking damages for wrongful termination, harassment, retaliation, and emotional distress.
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