Full Breakdown
Former ABC Producer Sues CBS Correspondent Matt Gutman Over Alleged Harassment and Wrongful Termination
8/17/2026, 1:51:18 AM
Core Event
Samira Said, a former field producer for ABC News’ Los Angeles bureau, filed a wrongful-termination lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court. The complaint names CBS News chief correspondent Matt Gutman, ABC News, The Walt Disney Co., and former LA bureau chief David Herndon as defendants. Said alleges Gutman made sexualized comments on two assignments, that ABC denied her medically required accommodations after covering the 2022 Uvalde school shooting, and that she was terminated in early 2025. The suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, and a jury trial.
Background & Context
Said worked for ABC News from May 2021 until March 2025. In May 2022 she was assigned to interview child survivors of the Robb Elementary School shooting while experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. She later reported severe psychological distress and was placed on medical leave from August 2022 through January 2023, with a psychiatrist certifying the leave’s necessity.
After returning, Said says bureau chief David Herndon told her she must resume full-week duties without restrictions or be barred from returning. She was moved to weekend desk shifts and, in early 2025, assigned to cover hazardous weather events, during which she alleges a piece of heavy equipment struck her foot, causing a bone contusion.
Data & Statistics
- Employment period: May 2021 – March 2025.
- Medical leave: August 2022 – January 2023 (? six months).
- Termination date: March 5, 2025.
- Reported injury: foot bone contusion during coverage of Los Angeles wildfires (early 2025).
Official Statements & Responses
- CBS News has not commented.
- ABC News and Disney have not provided public responses; a Disney spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times executives had not yet reviewed the complaint.
- Executive Editor Tom Cibrowski praised Gutman’s journalistic style in a prior hiring announcement: “I have worked with Matt for decades, and I have seen his innate ability to take viewers into a story.”
- Bari Weiss, CBS News editor-in-chief, described Gutman’s reporting as “fearless, energy and relentlessness” when announcing his hire.
- Attorney Aaron Gbewonyo, representing Said, said the case may reflect broader misconduct at ABC.
Criticism & Opposition
The lawsuit claims ABC failed to provide reasonable accommodations for Said’s mental-health condition, effectively retaliating for her protected medical leave. Said’s counsel argues the employer’s “ultimatum” to return without restrictions violated labor-law protections. No corporate representative has publicly disputed these claims.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I have worked with Matt for decades, and I have seen his innate ability to take viewers into a story.” — Tom Cibrowski
- “While this case centers on Ms. Said's experience, we have reason to believe that ABC's conduct was not an isolated incident,” — Aaron Gbewonyo
- “I am thrilled to be joining CBS, a network with TV news’ most storied past, and most exciting future,” — Matt Gutman
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources consistently describe the two alleged incidents involving Gutman and the timeline of Said’s medical leave and termination. No source provides independent verification of the foot injury or the internal decision-making that led to Said’s dismissal.
What’s Next
The lawsuit proceeds through the Los Angeles Superior Court. No hearing dates have been disclosed, and the parties have not announced settlement negotiations. The case remains pending and unadjudicated.
