She's seeking $10 million in damages. Mom 1st. After taking Ferguson off the air last October following a series of allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power by former female co-workers, Hubbard parted ways with the morning host last November. The duo will be heard on "Melissa and Austin," weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. CT, effective May 10. Theres still some major concerns. DeNicolos other lawsuit, against Hubbard, accused her former employer of defaming her when the company stated it had investigated her claims against Ferguson but did not find corroborating evidence. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. Violeta Podrumedic, Brian Whip Paruch, Melissa McGurren and Eric Ferguson. Tuesdays comment of the day: Rita Buda: I can't wait to listen to Rick O'Dell's top 12 smooth jazz Christmas tunes. DeNicolo was laid off from the station in May 2020 after a nearly 20-year career. Facebook gives people the. Mom 1st. Ferguson stepped down as host of the popular show in October, amid outcry over McGurrens allegations and claims of sexual assault and workplace harassment made by other female employees of The Mix.. Former Chicago Radio Co-Host's $10M Defamation Suit Dismissed Englands internal email is an informational communication to Plaintiffs former coworkers and defendants current employees, Guzman wrote. In the midst of her absence, some of her fans have even taken the time to post on social media that the show is no longer any good without her. She is a huge fan of different genres of music that would never be played on her own station. Moving to Chicago was a natural move for her. Read the entire Chicago Tribune article here. Honestly, let her not forget that. Until recently he also hosted a podcast on the site. Jeff England, vice president and market manager at Hubbard Radio Chicago, was quoted as saying: Our plans for the future of Eric in the Morning definitely included Melissa. "We're incredibly excited to be growing our US99 family and making mornings . Jan 27, 2022 Help create big change for the pets and people in our community. Right now, thats a fair assessment. After being missing from "Eric In The Morning" for the past several weeks, Hubbard Hot AC "101.9 The Mix" WTMX Skokie/Chicago has revealed that co-host Melissa McGurren is departing the station after declining a contract extension offered to her. McGurren, who left the show in late 2020 after 22 years, has said in court filings that. By. Shes a huge Frank Sinatra fan, too. Dismissal of Melissa McGurren's defamation suit doesn't end legal Rachel Williamson, regional president and market manager of Audacy Chicago, said the team of McGurren and Huff "will bring energy, positivity, chemistry, and a lot of fun to this fresh and dynamic local show to serve Chicagos country listeners. :). Much like McGurren made allegations attached as a filing in another former WTMX employees suit, Ashrafi is using a similar legal maneuver. our stories straight," and advised her to "stay silent and to deny any allegations by other women that Ferguson had engaged in inappropriate behavior," according to the lawsuit. WTMX afternoon host Chris Petlak succeeded Ferguson as host of the morning show on The Mix in January. No reason was cited for the breakup, but reports persisted of friction between Ferguson and McGurren. Feder: The Mix bids farewell to morning co-star Melissa McGurren All four women alleged management protected him because of his shows high ratings. Former WTMX staffer sues 'Eric in the Morning' host - NewsBreak When he stepped down after 25 years at the station, Ferguson said in a statement that he was energized to move forward and defend myself against claims made against me and the station.. Michael Jackson, for instance, is a huge favorite for her. His name is actually Brian Paruch, but hes been called Whip for more than a decade. oh and REINVENTION. Radio host Eric Ferguson works in the WTMX-FM studio with Melissa McGurren, center, and former co-host Kathy Hart in 2009. . Melissa McGurren, who spent 22 years with WTMX-101.9-FM and co-hosted the Eric in the Morning with Ferguson, in 2020 filed suit against WTMX owner Hubbard Radio Chicago, claiming an email sent to her former coworkers implied she was lying about alleged abusive behavior by Ferguson. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. Ashrafi, who was afternoon co-host and traffic reporter at WTMX using the on-air name Jennifer Roberts, is the fourth former female staff member to back claims against the station and Ferguson. Drew Walker, an 18-year veteran of US99 who most recently has been hosting mornings, returns to middays from 9 a.m. to noon. Veteran Chicago radio personality Melissa McGurren's effort to revive her $10 million defamation suit against Hubbard Radio has ended. We were disappointed by her decision not to renew her contract, but also know that this year has led all of us to assess our lives in different ways. The duo will be heard on "Melissa and Austin," weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. CT, effective May 10. England's October 5 email prompted McGurren to sue for defamation, alleging that his statement falsely branded her a liar by attacking her credibility and integrity. Paddock Publications, Inc. is an Employee-Owned Company. Amidst the continuing allegations, station management pulled Ferguson off the air, saying he will be sidelined through October. Thanks, you guys. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. Starting. Hubbard Radios statement that the company thoroughly investigated McGurrens allegations is false, according to McGurrens suit. A federal judge has dismissed Chicago radio host Melissa McGurren's defamation lawsuit against her former employer, Hubbard Radio Chicago, whom she alleged falsely branded her a liar while responding to her harassment claims against former co-host Eric Ferguson. They miss her, they want to see her back, and they are missing what she brings to the mix when shes on the air. In a declaration attached to McGurrens defamation suit, Ashrafi said the station was a hostile, humiliating atmosphere for female employees. You have permission to edit this article. Hubbard Radio/Chicago VP/Market Manager Jeff England said in a memo to employees on October 5 that the company "thoroughly investigated this matter previously. -. A separate lawsuit she filed against Ferguson remains active. She too was represented by Mandell. By November 2019, I could not stand to be in that hostile work environment another day. Melissa McGurren wont be a name you recognize unless you live in Chicago, but shes very famous in her own town. Melissa McGurren, former morning co-host on WTMX 101.9-FM, worked at the Hubbard Radio Chicago station that's more popularly known as The Mix for more than two decades before leaving in 2020. Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission was an opinion and therefore did not constitute defamation. Hubbard Radios statement that the company thoroughly investigated McGurrens allegations is false, according to McGurrens suit, as reported by the Tribune. It's hard to choose, they all sound so great. Thanks for reading! 1 talking about this. Melissa McGurren & Austin Huff To Host Mornings At US99 A thorough investigation would have uncovered that Jennifer Ashrafi brought many of these same issues, that corroborate Melissas characterization of events, to England in January 2020, months before Melissa filed her charge with the EEOC. Typically, cohosts will announce if youve been on maternity leave, if you are taking personal time, traveling, whatever. Collectively, this roster will super serve Chicagos country music audience as the standalone country station in the market, Williamson said. I love smooth jazz Christmas music. McGurren had argued that when the station owner made its statement, it knew that Ferguson was a serial abuser of women and that Hubbard knowingly published false information when it said it did not agree with her characterization of events. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissa's characterization of events.". She's a radio host, and she has a huge fan base. Second woman alleges inappropriate behavior by Eric Ferguson of The Mix Melissa McGurren, who was a mainstay of Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary WTMX 101.9-FM for 22 years, has been hired by Audacy country WUSN 99.5-FM to lead a brand-new morning show. Heres a fun fact: Shes been writing and creating her own radio shows since she was a little girl of only 8. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. She loves that they listen to her, that they reach out to her, and that they want to connect with her through their own stories. Former WTMX radio host Melissa McGurren's defamation lawsuit dismissed Audacy Announces Debut of New Morning Show on US99 in Chicago Former WTMX Morning Co-Host Melissa McGurren Files $10 Million Now, in her defamation suit, McGurren accuses Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. McGurren alleged management did nothing about her concerns, then forced her out in December. But two weeks later, McGurrens lawyer filed a motion for voluntary dismissal of the appeal. His ruling included three reasons why he was accepting the motion to dismiss by Hubbard. Her lawsuit claims station vice president Jeff England defamed her when he sent a message to staff in 2020 stating the station had investigated her claims and did not agree with [McGurrens] characterization of events a statement that McGurren said implied she was a liar, and which she claimed impugned her integrity. 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In his ruling, Gomez cited the legal statute opinions that do not misstate facts are protected by the First Amendment and are non-actionable. Starting Monday, she will host "Melissa and Austin" from 6 to 9 a.m. weekdays with co-host Austin Huff, a radio producer and podcaster just in from St. Louis. In the court filings made public Tuesday, McGurren said that during her 22-year career at The Mix she rose from traffic reporter to show co-host with Ferguson and Brian "Whip" Paruch, who she. The breakup came less than a year after the ubiquitous duo known as "Eric & Kathy" were inducted in the Radio Hall of Fame. She described him as a serial abuser of women and said management failed to respond and then forced her out when she demanded that the alleged harassment stop. Her writing has allowed her to visit NYC for Fashion Week events since 2015, and she's worked with clients in almost every field, from dentistry to law and family to entertainment. But, her cohosts have not said a word, and thats what has fans worried. A statement released by the company alludes to a contract extension offer it says McGurren turned down, but it provided no other details. He was sidelined from his popular morning radio show last year. In the defamation suit filed Thursday, she said Hubbard did not perform an investigation or conducted "a sham investigation" into her allegations, and the company attacked her credibility and integrity with comments it made last week to staff. Such complaints are confidential, but her allegations later became public in a court filing that was part of DeNicolos defamation lawsuit. Thank you so much. decision dismissing McGurrens defamation claim, Column: For the Chicago Blackhawks remodel to work, their new house had better be built on a strong foundation, Merrillville food and beverage tax edging closer to reality, Remains found in Rockdale more than 25 years ago identified as Aurora woman, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. She is a mother. Melissa McGurren - Facebook Overall the station ranked 13th with a 2.6 share and weekly cume of 710,900. At least four women have accused Ferguson of misconduct, which led the host of "Eric In the Morning" to leave the station last October. 0. Cheryl Corley, Greg Kot win Headline Club Lifetime Achievement Awards, My childhood dream became the honor of a lifetime, Robservations: Sun-Times moving to Old Post Office; ABC 7 opens weekend anchor slot; Medill tracks local news decline, Robservations: StreetWise raises cover price; Sventoonie takes a break; Friends of Chicago Reporter mark 50. In a four-page ruling issued by the United District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Judge Ronald A. Guzman granted Hubbard Radio Chicago petition to dismiss the suit brought by McGurren. Tell us what's wrong with this post? Hubbard Radio Wants Court To Dismiss Defamation Suits From Eric The accusations of sexual harassment and abuse of power levied against Eric Ferguson continue to pile up as a fourth accuser has come forward, while the station he hosts mornings at, Hubbard hot AC 101.9 The Mix WTMX Chicago, is hit with a $10 million lawsuit from a former co-host of Fergusons. Join Facebook to connect with Melissa McGurren and others you may know. In her lawsuit against Ferguson, DeNicolo alleged that he blocked raises and promotions, then orchestrated her dismissal after she refused to resume a brief sexual relationship that occurred early in her career. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free. McGurren called Ferguson a serial abuser of women, station management pulled Ferguson off the air, a separate $10 million defamation lawsuit against Hubbard Radio. McGurren left the station in 2020 and alleged in the lawsuit that the station was intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. Shes been with WTMX 101.9 The Mix, for a long time, and suddenly shes gone. The dismissal of Melissa McGurren's $10 million defamation lawsuit against Hubbard Radio Chicago doesn't mean the end of legal problems for Eric Ferguson or the parent company of hot adult . McGurren comes from Hubbard Broadcasting crosstown hot AC "101.9 FM The Mix" WTMX, where she spent more than two decades, first as a traffic reporter then as co-host of "Eric in the Morning." Marci Braun continues as program director of US99 and regional brand manager of the country format for Audacy. According to the newspaper, the suit includes a declaration as an exhibit from another former employee, Jennifer Ashrafi, who said she left as the station's afternoon co-host in January, 2020 because she was so "disgusted" by the "misogyny, gender discrimination and hostile work environment that was pervasive" at the station. "Drew [Walker] returns to late mornings and middays and will continue to bring the energy and companionship country listeners have grown to love to get them through their day. She has a son by the name of Porter, and she does share a little about him on her Instagram page from time to time. The list of flaws with this team are many, but the fact that this Bulls front office thought Russell Westbrook might help them out could be atop that list. Former Eric Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren breaks silence, alleges The Mix and its corporate owners have been engaged in a coverup that is now exposed as a lie, Caruso told the Tribune. Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com. McGurren, the pride of Portage, Indiana, who rose from traffic reporter to co-host of Eric Ferguson's morning show at The Mix, has been off the air since she and the station parted company late last year. Former Chicago radio host's $10M defamation suit dismissed - JG-TC.com McGurren had been with WTMX for 22 years serving as a traffic reporter until moving up to morning co-host following the departure of Kathy . WUSN-FM (US99)/Chicago morning co-host Melissa McGurren has filed a defamation lawsuit against her former employer, crosstown Hubbard Radio, reports the Chicago Tribune. Melissa McGurren, who was a mainstay of Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary WTMX 101.9-FM for 22 years, has been hired by Audacy country WUSN 99.5-FM to lead a new morning show, Robert Feder writes. MCGURREN also brought an EEOC Charge of. DeNicolos position is that the statements not only accuse her of on-the-job malfeasance but also prejudice her in her trade and profession. In court documents filed Oct. 5, McGurren called Ferguson a serial abuser of women and claimed that station management for years has protected Ferguson in allowing him to continue in perpetrating his misconduct that goes far beyond the limits of decency despite ample notice from me and many of my co-workers that Fergusons behavior is unlawful. McGurren went on to say that the long-running morning host has grossly abused his power, and his conduct was the major reason the station became a hostile working environment., Her accusations were submitted as supporting evidence in an amended defamation lawsuit brought by former WTMX Associate Producer Cynthia DeNicolo against Hubbard. She collaborated with the NFL, CDC, and Heads Up Football Program in 2012 and 2013. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. Last week U.S. District Court. In her defamation suit, McGurren, who worked for 22 years at WTMX, claimed Hubbard did not perform an investigation or conducted a sham investigation of her earlier harassment allegations against Ferguson and that Hubbard attacked her credibility and integrity with comments it made to staff about her allegations. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. Chicago | Mornings @US99Chicago 6-9am SHOP Melissa's Amazon Favorites link below . The suit against Ferguson states that in 2004 she stopped providing oral sex in response to his demands, which he allegedly made by using the code words I need a back rub. She said Ferguson taunted her with the phrase throughout her remaining tenure at the station. He was sidelined from his popular morning radio show last year. Ferguson, 55, has denied the allegations but was sidelined from his popular morning show in October 2021, weeks after the Tribune first reported that DeNicolo had sued him earlier that year. In many ways, McGurren's departure was a replay of the drama that unfolded in 2017 when Kathy Hart severed ties with the station after 21 years as Ferguson's co-host. How could we improve it? We are heartened by the fact that now two federal courts and an arbitrator have ruled in Hubbards favor and have concluded that the claims brought by Ms. McGurren and Ms. DeNicolo against Hubbard lacked any legal merit, attorney Michael Roche, a partner at Winston & Strawn who represented Hubbard Radio Chicago in the litigation, said in an emailed statement. Her new role will make them direct competitors. It all comes just as Ferguson is back from his latest surgery for spinal stenosis, a procedure involving spinal decompression and disc fusion. Its actually good for the game, Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. Her coworker, Whip, calls her the secret weapon on their show. McGurren currently co-hosts mornings at Audacy crosstown country US99 WUSN. Officials of the Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary station ended speculation today about McGurren's lengthy absenceand announced a parting of the ways. "We're incredibly excited to be growing . In January 2020, I resigned after I lined up another job.. Im honored to wake up with this city every morning, and I cannot wait to have a ton of fun in the process.. Radio host sells Hinsdale home for less than he paid - Crain's Chicago It just brings alertness and focus to the game., White Sox notebook: Benintendi, Anderson, Alberto, Saturdays win. Eric in the Morning is expected to continue with current contributors Violeta Podrumedic and Brian Whip Paruch and producer John Swany Swanson. Believer of love, kindness, truth and honesty. Melissa McGurren, who worked for 22 years at the station, filed a $10 million defamation lawsuit against Hubbard Radio Chicago, claiming the company did not perform an investigation or conducted "a sham investigation" of her earlier allegations and that Hubbard attacked her credibility and integrity with comments it made to staff last week, the Terms of her multiyear deal, negotiated by attorney Steve Mandell, were not disclosed. The former morning show co-host at Hubbard hot AC The Mix WTMX Chicago has withdrawn her appeal of a federal court decision that dismissed the suit. Ferguson's former co-host, Melissa McGurren, filed the $10 million lawsuit last fall. While not claiming that Ferguson abused her specifically, Ashrafi said the disgraced morning host was rude and dismissive to women., His abusive behavior is open and known by all at The Mix, she said. Melissa McGurren won't be a name you recognize unless you live in Chicago, but she's very famous in her own town. We take these allegations seriously and we are confident in the results of multiple investigations we have initiated, England said when announcing to staff that Ferguson would not be hosting mornings in October.
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