Fox Sports Show Hit with Sexual Harassment Suit - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brett Ferino · 05-02-2003, 01:40 PM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A hairstylist on "The Best Damn Sports Show Period" has sued the show's stars and the Fox Sports Network, alleging that she was sexually abused and harassed on the set by its former basketball star co-host.

Lisa Brescher claimed in her Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit that "Best" co-host John Salley, who starred on teams in Detroit, Chicago and Los Angeles, grabbed her buttocks and made crude sexual remarks, among other things.

Brescher alleged that when she reported the incidents to the show's star, Tom Arnold, he retaliated by banning her from the set.

In a statement, Salley denied the allegations and said the claims have no merit. A spokesman for Fox said the network had conducted a thorough investigation of Brescher's allegations and that none of them could be corroborated.

"On the contrary, it appears that she herself engaged in inappropriate and unprofessional behavior at work," the Fox spokesman said.

He added: "Fox takes pride in providing a workplace free of all forms of workplace harassment. Unfortunately, this is a case where a disgruntled worker thinks there is money to be made by making outlandish accusations against a high-profile company and its stars."

Staci Wolfe, a spokeswoman for Arnold, said that the actor has a "no-tolerance policy" toward sexual harassment and called the complaints "frivolous and without merit."

Wolfe said Arnold would defend himself against the allegations and "intends to pursue a claim for malicious prosecution against Ms. Brescher and her attorneys."

Arnold's publicist added that Brescher had been kept off the set "because her repeated arguing and excessive talking with other staff members could be heard on the stage while they were taping the show."

05-02-2003, 01:40 PM	#1
Brett Ferino Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 18, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,782	Fox Sports Show Hit with Sexual Harassment Suit LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A hairstylist on "The Best Damn Sports Show Period" has sued the show's stars and the Fox Sports Network, alleging that she was sexually abused and harassed on the set by its former basketball star co-host. Lisa Brescher claimed in her Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit that "Best" co-host John Salley, who starred on teams in Detroit, Chicago and Los Angeles, grabbed her buttocks and made crude sexual remarks, among other things. Brescher alleged that when she reported the incidents to the show's star, Tom Arnold, he retaliated by banning her from the set. In a statement, Salley denied the allegations and said the claims have no merit. A spokesman for Fox said the network had conducted a thorough investigation of Brescher's allegations and that none of them could be corroborated. "On the contrary, it appears that she herself engaged in inappropriate and unprofessional behavior at work," the Fox spokesman said. He added: "Fox takes pride in providing a workplace free of all forms of workplace harassment. Unfortunately, this is a case where a disgruntled worker thinks there is money to be made by making outlandish accusations against a high-profile company and its stars." Staci Wolfe, a spokeswoman for Arnold, said that the actor has a "no-tolerance policy" toward sexual harassment and called the complaints "frivolous and without merit." Wolfe said Arnold would defend himself against the allegations and "intends to pursue a claim for malicious prosecution against Ms. Brescher and her attorneys." Arnold's publicist added that Brescher had been kept off the set "because her repeated arguing and excessive talking with other staff members could be heard on the stage while they were taping the show."