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Gabrielle Union Files Discrimination Complaint On 'AGT' Producers, Says NBC’s Paul Telegdy Tried To 'Silence & Intimidate’ Her For Speaking On Racism

​ Jun 04 | by _YBF ​ ​ ​ ​

photo gabriellesue1.jpg

Gabrielle Union is NOT backing down! After NBC wrapped up its investigation into Gabby’s racism accusations, the former “America’s Got Talent” judge has filed a discrimination complaint against “AGT” producers, Simon Cowell and more. More inside…

Gabrielle Union is NOT letting NBC Universal off the hook following racism allegations she made last year that led up to her being fired from the talent competition series. And appears she’s taking steps to take everyone to court over her claims.

According to journalist Yashir Ali, Gabby has filed a discrimination complaint in California against Simon Cowell, Universal TV, Syco Entertainment and Freemantle Productions North America. It’s said she will be filing a separate complaint against “AGT” judge Simon Cowell as well.

In addition to her complaint, she also brought up a new accusation. She revealed NBC Entertainment Chairman Paul Telegdy allegedly tried to "silence and intimidate" her over speaking out against racism on set.

 

 

The discrimination complaint was filed today, via her attorney Bryan Freedman, with California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing, according to Deadline. Most DFEH complaints are often precursors to lawsuits.

“When Gabrielle Union informed NBC of racially offensive conduct during the taping of ‘America’s Got Talent,’ NBC did not ‘stand’ with her in ‘outrage at acts of racism,'” Bryan Freedman said, referencing the company’s recent support of #BlackLivesMatter. “Instead, NBC did not care enough to either promptly investigate Ms. Union’s complaints or even ask HR to get involved. Rather, NBC stood against her and directed its “outrage” at Ms. Union for whistleblowing about the racially offensive conduct she experienced while working for NBC on ‘America’s Got Talent’.”

Deadline has more details below:

“Telegdy contradicted his statements to the media and personally disregarded NBC’s ‘Principles of Business Conduct’ (hereinafter, ‘Code of Conduct’) mandating confidentiality for workplace investigations by contacting Union’s agent and disclosing confidential information obtained during the ongoing investigation into Union’s concerns in an attempt to silence and intimidate Union from providing information to the investigator about her experiences,” the 38-page complaint to the DFEH from lawyer Bryan Freedman that has prompted a right to sue letter (READ IT HERE)

“On or about February 4, 2020, Telegdy threatened Union through her agent and warned Union’s agent that Union had better cease from pursuing her claims of racism while filming AGT. Union’s agent was shocked that the Chairman of NBC Entertainment was attempting to threaten and intimidate Union. Union’s agent could not recall another instance in his career when a senior executive at a network had threatened and intimidated an employee during an ongoing workplace investigation.”

The new filing comes a week after NBC wrapped its investigation of the events that led to her firing from the show in 2019. NBC announced it had found "that no one associated with the show made any insensitive or derogatory remarks about Ms. Union's appearance, and that neither race nor gender was a contributing factor in the advancement or elimination of contestants at any time."

"The investigation has shown that the concerns raised by Ms. Union had no bearing on the decision not to exercise the option on her contract," the statement read.

The "Being Mary Jane" star served as a judge on "AGT" for the show's 14th season, but she was released from her contract after just one season. Gabby believes she was kicked off the show for voicing concerns regarding “toxic and racist culture” she witnessed behind-the-scenes, which included “excessive notes” on her appearance.

Last week, the 47-year-old actress spoke out about the "AGT" controversy for the first time in a cover story with Variety.

“At the end of all this, my goal is real change — and not just on this show but for the larger parent company. It starts from the top down,” she said. “My goal is to create the happiest, most high-functioning, inclusive, protected and healthy example of a workplace.”

 

As protests continue in the wake of George Floyd's filling, NBC shared a statement in "solidarity" with the Black Lives Matter movement. NBC tweeted: “We stand with our black employees, colleagues, partners, and creators in outrage at acts of racism. Black Lives Matter.”

Folks were QUICK to point out how they didn't STAND with Gabby when she first made her racism accusations: 

Hmph. 

NBC said BRING IT and Gabby said ALREADY BEEN BROUGHT! Let's keep our fingers crossed she scores a victory in court!

Photos: DFree/Shutterstock.com

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