California’s Department of Fair Employment & Housing is trying to convince a Los Angeles judge that its suit against Disney over alleged harassment on the set of Criminal Minds involving director of photography Gregory St. Johns should go forward, even though the series wrapped in 2019. The Hollywood Reporter spoke to Ann Fromholz on a novel question of whether the DFEH can seek an injunction against Disney when there’s no chance of St. Johns’ alleged actions recurring since he no longer works for the company or its affiliates.
“If the show doesn’t exist and Mr. St. Johns isn’t working there anymore, what exactly is the DFEH seeking to enjoin? Are they seeking to enjoin Disney, generally, from allowing harassment? The court will say ‘there’s a law that prevents harassment,’” said Fromholz.
In January 2020, Disney filed a demurrer to the complaint, arguing it is “hopelessly vague” and the few instances of alleged misconduct that are specified don’t share enough commonality to warrant a group action.
“In my opinion, and keeping in mind that I was a defense lawyer for 20 years, I think Disney’s argument is a winning one. Courts tend to be hesitant to grant injunctive relief and I expect the court won’t here because it’s not clear at all that the DFEH has identified any unlawful conduct that allegedly occurred outside of the Criminal Minds production. Their main argument is ‘well, Disney still exists,’” Fromholz added.
The lawsuit is currently pending. Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3cPVH61
