CBS News anchor faces sexual harassment allegations in major lawsuit

A prominent correspondent at CBS News, Matt Gutman, is facing serious allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace. The claims stem from a wrongful termination lawsuit filed in Los Angeles by former ABC News field producer Samira Said, with whom Gutman worked during her tenure at the network. Said alleges that Gutman fostered a hostile work environment characterized by inappropriate sexual comments.

Gutman, who recently joined CBS News as a chief correspondent, has a history in broadcast journalism that spans nearly two decades at ABC News. During his time there, he encountered disciplinary actions that included two suspensions: one for disseminating false information following the tragic death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant and another for breaching COVID-19 safety protocols.

In her lawsuit, Said detailed two incidents she claims exemplify Gutman’s alleged misconduct. The first incident occurred while Said and several male colleagues were waiting in line for a public assignment. According to the lawsuit, Gutman allegedly initiated a conversation that evaluated a female correspondent’s physical appearance, reducing her professional capabilities to a numerical score based on her looks. Said reported that the other men joined in, soliciting her opinion, which she declined to provide.

The second alleged incident took place during a press event for a film release. After Said suggested that the team should leave the venue, Gutman purportedly made a suggestive comment implying that she had a personal engagement in the city, further perpetuating a sexually charged stereotype about her professional motives. Her legal representatives contend that such remarks diminished her professional credibility and subjected her to a discriminatory viewpoint.

In the lawsuit, Said also named ABC News and its parent company, The Walt Disney Company, as defendants, claiming wrongful termination in 2025 as she struggled with mental health challenges stemming from the alleged harassment. Gutman’s reputation has further escalated in light of his recent visibility at CBS, where he filled in for anchor Tony Dokoupil during vacation, achieving impressive Nielsen ratings in the process.

Gutman currently holds multiple roles at CBS News, including fill-in anchoring for various broadcasts and contributing to investigative programs. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, CBS News has yet to issue a public response regarding the situation.

As these allegations unfold, they raise critical questions about workplace conduct and accountability in the media industry.

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