MediaCo, Emmis Deny Allegations In Shaila Scotts Discrimination Suit. | Story

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Mediaco, the owner of WBLS New York (107.5), and Emmis Communications, the urban AC stations former owner, have filed separate but similar responses to discrimination suit filed by the station’s former midday personality. Shaila Scott sued both companies July 8 in federal court for age and sex discrimination.

Scott (real name: Amilee Cattouse) claims MediaCo and Emmis not only paid her less than her male peers, but MediaCo fired her at age 59 and hired a replacement who is about 25 years younger.

Scotts follows, filed in US District Court in New York City, further alleges MediaCo withheld her severance unless she promised not to sue the company for discrimination, including violations of the equal pay laws.

MediaCo denies each and every allegation in the Complaint not specifically set forth herein, MediaCo said in a court filing that uses the word denies 58 times. About the only thing MediaCo admits is that it employed Scott from Jan. 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022, when her employment agreement expired, and that she worked for Emmis before that. Emmis sold WBLS and urban contemporary sister Hot 97 WQHT to MediaCo on Dec. 31, 2020.

In a 12-page suit, Scotts legal team said she was paid thousands or perhaps even millions of thousands of dollars per year less than two comparable male on-air personalities, despite her superior ratings and ability to generate revenue.

But MediaCo denies Scotts unequal pay allegations, arguing that the mid-day timeslot that Plaintiff occupied was substantially less profitable and had less market competition than shows that ran during the morning and evening drive time slots.

Mediacos response makes the shopworn defense argument that Scotts suit fails to state a claim for which relief may be granted and that Scott lacks standing to assert some or all of the claims in the Complaint. Among other arguments, it also says her suit was not filed within the statute of limitations and/or administrative filing periods and that Scott failed to exhaust all necessary administrative, statutory and/or jurisdictional prerequisites for the commencement of this action.

Emmis out-denies Medico, using the word denies a total of 66 times in its response, while making many of the same arguments. Emmis also says that it never received the Charge Of Discrimination Complaint Scott filed with the EEOC.

Emmis does admit it employed Scott from Sept. 26, 1994 through April 30, 2012 (at the former WRKS-FM) and again from March 1, 2014 through Dec. 31, 2020 (at WBLS).

Emmis also says that all decisions it made related to Scott were based solely on legitimate, nondiscriminatory factors, and were made in good faith, in compliance with all applicable laws. Emmis argues it cant be held liable for any allegedly discriminatory conduct that took place after MediCo acquired WBLS at the start of 2021.

Scotts follows alleges that as one of MediaCos oldest weekday, non-syndicated hosts, she was subjected to comments about old Negro spirituals being played for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and cautioned not to create a concert lineup that was too geriatric.

On multiple occasions MediaCo managers and directors made comments about the Company needing a fresh approach a transparent reference to jettison older employees in favor of younger hires, court papers say. The suit also accuses MediaCo of a pattern of hiring new employees in their 20s or 30s instead of more experienced people. The complaint alleges MediaCo and Emmis violated equal pay, anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation provisions of federal, state and local laws.

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