"This far-reaching argument finds no support in the law," Guzman wrote in his decision. You have permission to edit this article. She is expected to be paid through the end of the year, when her contract expires. Guzman denied a motion to reconsider the case in April and denied McGurrens motion to amend her complaint on June 30. "A thorough investigation would have uncovered that Jennifer Ashrafi brought many of these same issues, that corroborate Melissa's 'characterization of events,' to England in January, 2020, months before Melissa filed her charge" with the EEOC. 10 Things You Didnt Know about Melissa McGurren, Five Songs That Lead to the Creation of a Movie or TV Show, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Brandon Flynn. Last December Hubbard filed to have DeNicolos suit dismissed and to strike some of the allegations in her second amended complaint. 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.. McGurren, who left the show in late 2020 after 22 years, has said in court filings that Ferguson created an unbearably hostile work environment. She alleged her former employer had falsely branded her a liar when the company said in an email to staff that it had thoroughly investigated her EEOC complaint and did not agree with Melissas characterization of events.. She claimed Hubbard falsely branded her as a liar in a staff memo after she reported Ferguson for [] Thank you so much. 13 talking about this. Eric in the Morning is expected to continue with current contributors Violeta Podrumedic and Brian Whip Paruch and producer John Swany Swanson. In a declaration attached to McGurrens defamation suit, Ashrafi said the station was a hostile, humiliating atmosphere for female employees. Robservations: WGN Radio names Steve Alexander to succeed Orion Samuelson, 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. Being part of a morning show means shes sharing so much of her life with the people who listen. US99 Chicago Launches New Morning Show. They miss her, they want to see her back, and they are missing what she brings to the mix when shes on the air. It acknowledges the existence of plaintiffs pending EEOC claim, does not discuss particular facts, and simply indicates that the station has conducted its own investigations and does not agree with Plaintiffs characterization of events a classic statement of opinion.. The Audacy station is pairing up Melissa McGurren and Austin Huff to host morning drive on WUSN-FM. 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. He was sidelined from his popular morning radio show last year. I wish I could fully express my gratitude and happiness about joining the US99 team, McGurren said in a statement. On Thursday, she alleged that WTMX-FM (The Mix) management perpetuated a culture of discrimination to protect cash cows such as its morning host Eric Ferguson "at any cost." We dont know Jim, though, because she keeps his face out of all of her Instagram photos. 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. 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 very proud of the young man her son is becoming, she loves that he is funny and helpful and that he is thoughtful. 0. 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 . McGurren accused Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. Shes always wanted to be in the business, and she always wanted to do things like this that she loves so much. Melissa McGurren wont be a name you recognize unless you live in Chicago, but shes very famous in her own town. 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. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. He was sidelined from his popular morning radio show last year. Facebook gives people the. The court agrees with Hubbard that the statements have nothing to do with DeNicolos conduct on the job.. Veteran Chicago radio personality Melissa McGurrens effort to revive her $10 million defamation suit against Hubbard Radio has ended. 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.. Terms of her multiyear deal, negotiated by attorney Steve Mandell, were not disclosed. Believer of love, kindness, truth and honesty. 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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. 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Her new role will make them direct competitors. The Tribune also reports that McGurren, who co-hosted "Eric in the Morning" on The Mix, described Ferguson in a December complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as a "serial abuser of women" who had subjected her to an "unbearable hostile work environment." A second female former employee of WTMX-FM has come forward to say longtime on-air host Eric Ferguson engaged in sexually inappropriate conduct, alleging in a Thursday court filing that he groped. Typically, cohosts will announce if youve been on maternity leave, if you are taking personal time, traveling, whatever. Attorney Carmen Caruso, who represents both women, declined Tuesday to comment on Valderramas ruling. Guzman again, disagreed, saying that the statement was an opinion based on its position rather than a statement of facts. Join Facebook to connect with Melissa McGurren and others you may know. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. Melissa McGurren co-hosted Eric Ferguson's morning show at WTMX-FM 101.9 before leaving the Chicago radio station in December 2020. "Melissa and Austin" debuted on WUSN Monday, May 10, running from 6am-9am. Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. The Mix and its corporate owners have been engaged in a coverup that is now exposed as a lie, Caruso told the Tribune. By November 2019, I could not stand to be in that hostile work environment another day. Melissa McGurren, the pride of Portage, Indiana, who rose from traffic reporter to full-fledged co-host of Eric Fergusons top-rated morning show, is out after more than two decades at WTMX 101.9-FM. 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. 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. The six-bedroom, eight-bath mansion on Elm Street sold May 29. The rest of the station's lineup remains intact, with New York-based Katie Neal from noon to 3 p.m., Scotty Kay from 3 to 7 p.m. and Detroit-based Rob Stone and Holly Hutton from 7 p.m. to midnight. Melissa McGurren, who rose from traffic reporter to full-fledged co-host of Eric Ferguson's top-rated morning show, is out after more than two decades at WTMX 101.9-FM, Robert Feder writes. She is a mother. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissas characterization of events.. She also loves artists like the Foo Fighters. Whatever Happened to Brian Buckner from Barnwood Builders? A former assistant producer for Ferguson, Cynthia DeNicolo, had alleged the company defamed her last year by stating it found no evidence to corroborate her allegations that Ferguson engaged in illegal workplace conduct at WTMX-FM 101.9. Mom 1st. Former WTMX Morning Co-Host Melissa McGurren Files $10 Million Defamation Lawsuit Against Hubbard. In his ruling, Gomez cited the legal statute opinions that do not misstate facts are protected by the First Amendment and are non-actionable. oh and REINVENTION. She's seeking $10 million in damages. Melissa McGurren, the pride of Portage, Indiana, who rose from traffic reporter to full-fledged co-host of Eric Ferguson's top-rated morning show, is out after more than two decades at WTMX. Shes been with WTMX 101.9 The Mix, for a long time, and suddenly shes gone. She currently co-hosts mornings at Audacy crosstown country US99 WUSN. It is humiliating to watch and dehumanizing to know that nothing can be done because the management at The Mix approved Fergusons misconduct by their silence in not reprimanding him., Ashrafis filing continued: This is one of many examples of microaggressions and suggestive comments women at The Mix are expected to endure (in addition to being underpaid and marginalized). 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. While so many people tend to move to Chicago from far away, she is not one of those people. 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. DeNicolo, a former WTMX assistant producer, claims Hubbard defamed her in statements it made to the Chicago Tribune after the newspaper first reported on her original suit against Ferguson. A status hearing in DeNicolos lawsuit against Ferguson is scheduled for Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court. 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. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissa's characterization of events.". McGurren and her agent, attorney Steve Mandell, declined requests for comment. How could we improve it? 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. Coldwell Banker Eric Ferguson, the longtime morning show host on WTMX-FM/101.9, sold his Hinsdale mansion for less than he paid for it. But we also owe it to ourselves and our listeners to have a deliberate and thoughtful process about our path forward, and candidly we are not there yet..

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