Kirstyn Crawford is a former producer of “Good Morning America.” A sexual assault case against her boss at ABC News was dismissed by a New York State Supreme Court judge. However, her lawyer stated Thursday that she won’t give up.
Milt Williams, an attorney who filed the lawsuit against Michael Corn last year on Crawford’s behalf, stated in an email that “We do intend to appeal the decision.”
This development occurred a day after Judge Barbara Jaffe dismissed a lawsuit. She wrote that the three year statute of limitations for the assault accusation had expired and that Corn’s behavior, while inappropriate, boorish, and ill-advised, did not create a hostile work environment.
Jaffe also wrote that “much” of Jaffe’s conduct was not directed towards plaintiff.
Crawford has resigned from ABC News, and her lawyer stated that she was unable to comment.
Corn, who oversees NewsNation’s news programming, was also unable to be reached for comment. Corn has denied any wrongdoing repeatedly.
Meredith Cavallaro was his lawyer and he said that they are confident in the judge’s decision.
Cavallaro stated that Judge Jaffe’s decision was well-reasoned, and based on long-standing precedent.
Crawford claimed that Corn assaulted and raped her on a 2015 business trip she took to Los Angeles to cover the Academy Awards. Jill McClain, a former producer at ABC News, was also accused in the lawsuit. The two incidents occurred on separate business trips.
McClain’s allegations are too old for a separate claim. However, Crawford claims that they were used to support her case.
McClain’s allegations against Corn were denied by Corn, who called them “fabricated.”
Jill booked her future flights to be next to me when I touched her on an aircraft. She also invited me to her wedding, including a prewedding event for her closest family members. Jill also repeatedly told me and my spouse that she misses me since she left her job at ABC. Corn stated in a statement that these were not the words or actions of a woman who was assaulted.”
Crawford claimed that ABC News was named as a defendant. They had received complaints about Corn’s alleged abuses dating back at least a decade, but did not stop him.
Corn was described in the complaint as “untouchable” and his bad behavior was accepted by ABC News brass, who saw him transform “GMA” into an ratings giant.
Crawford stated that George Stephanopoulos, host of “GMA”, urged Crawford to report the alleged assault. However, Heather Riley, then-senior director for publicity at “GMA,” cautioned Crawford that reporting harassment and assault might be “messy,” according to the lawsuit.
In March, Riley was appointed executive editor producer of political programming and other affairs at ABC News. When the allegations were first made, she did not respond and ABC News didn’t respond to Thursday’s request for comment.
