CBS News Star Hit With Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

CBS News star Matt Gutman is facing a bombshell sexual harassment lawsuit as his time filling in behind the “CBS Evening News” desk has led to a ratings increase.

The filing relates to Gutman’s longtime tenure at rival ABC News. Samira Said, a former field producer for ABC News, filed a lawsuit on August 14 in Los Angeles Superior Court that names Matt Gutman among the defendants.

The complaint lists American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., The Walt Disney Company, David Herndon, Matt Gutman, and Does 1 to 100 as defendants. It asserts claims including discrimination in violation of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), hostile work environment harassment in violation of the FEHA, retaliation in violation of the FEHA, failure to provide reasonable accommodation in violation of the FEHA, wrongful termination, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, among others.

Said worked as a field producer in ABC News’ Los Angeles bureau from approximately May 10, 2021, until her termination on or about March 5, 2025. The lawsuit alleges that during her employment she was placed on a male-only team that included on-air correspondent Matt Gutman and two additional male crew members.

“While the team waited in a public queue during the assignment, Gutman initiated a discussion rating a female correspondent’s appearance and reducing her professional standing to a numerical score based on her physical attributes. The male crew joined in, continuing to assess the woman’s body and looks in Said’s presence,” the complaint alleges. “The men attempted to draw Said into the conversation by soliciting her views. Said declined and stated the conversation was inappropriate.”

The filing describes a second incident during a press day related to a film release, which states that Said and Gutman disagreed about whether the team should leave the work site. “In front of multiple coworkers, Gutman responded by making a sexualized insinuation that Said must have an after-hours date in the city and that this is why she did not want to relocate. The remark, made audibly to others, demeaned Said and reduced her professional judgment to a sexualized stereotype,” the filing went on.

POLL: Should Foreigners Be Banned From Buying American Farmland?

CBS star Matt Gutman accused of sexual harassment in bombshell lawsuit amid ratings fight https://t.co/9A8tr7pFYm pic.twitter.com/AGdTb17MK2

— New York Post (@nypost) August 15, 2026

These two alleged incidents form the basis of the claims against Gutman regarding creation of a hostile work environment. The broader complaint alleges that Said experienced disabilities, including symptoms related to depression and psychological effects from trauma, and that she engaged in protected activities such as requesting medical leave and accommodations.

It further states that she covered the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, after which she sought leave that was initially denied, though a psychiatrist later certified the need for medical leave from August 2022 through January 2023. Upon her return, requested accommodations to avoid trauma triggers were allegedly denied.

The suit claims she was subsequently reassigned to weekend desk shifts and later sustained a workplace injury involving a bone contusion to her foot while covering weather-related events. A company physician evaluated the injury and determined it did not require leave. Termination occurred on March 5, 2025, during a meeting presented as a routine check-in.

Said seeks general and special damages, exemplary damages, interest, attorneys’ fees, costs, and other relief, with the amount demanded exceeding $35,000. Representatives for ABC News, The Walt Disney Company, CBS News, and Gutman have declined to comment, stating they have not yet reviewed the complaint.

Gutman, who joined CBS earlier this year after nearly two decades at ABC, serves as a lead correspondent for “48 Hours,” and contributes to “60 Minutes.” He has also filled in as an anchor for “CBS Evening News” and has overseen a ratings increase during his tenure.

RELATED: Fox News Viewers Outraged After Truth About Jesse Watters’ Absence Is Revealed