Former weather channel anchor Hillary Andrews, 38, has won a sexual harassment arbitration ruling against her male co-anchor, Bob Stokes. Stokes is accused of some pretty raw stuff and it now looks that inclement legal conditions for the weather channel as the owner tries to sell it off. Stokes was fired after the judgment and TWC is now allegedly trying to keep the facts from being aired publicly.
According to Andrews, Stokes was obsessed with her and made highly improper comments and took bizarre actions like “Will you lick my swizzle stick?” and “It tortures me when you wear those heels and skirt.” He is also accused of following Andrews like a tornado chaser, including into her dressing room.
Key to the complain was the alleged toleration of the abuse by TWC. Andrews alleges that Stokes was so popular with TWC viewers that the management looked the other way, even when he would put her down on air.
For the complaint and story, click here
“Key to the complaint was the alleged toleration of the abuse by TWC. Andrews alleges that Stokes was so popular with TWC viewers that the management looked the other way, even when he would put her down on air.”
A few procedural thoughts:
Why didn’t Ms. Andrews join TWC as a co-defendant; to keep her job?
Was there any argument to suggest that TWC was a necessary party?
The index number is dated 2007; assuming the SOL hasn’t run, and that collateral estoppel & res judicata do not apply, I wonder if her attorneys will file suit against TWC to ensure they don’t retaliate after the SOL runs.