Amazon MGM Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Harassment on Set of Comic Book Drama Criminal
A lawsuit has been filed by production assistant Ijaaz Noohu against showrunner Ed Brubaker and Amazon MGM, alleging racial and sexual harassment on the set of their upcoming comic book drama Criminal. The suit claims that Noohu was subjected to repeated and pervasive sexual harassment by Brubaker, who made comments about running his hands through Noohu's hair, made rape jokes, and rubbed Noohu's back.
Noohu also alleges that Brubaker made 'demeaning stereotypes' about curry and joked about Noohu's presumed talent for math. In one incident, Brubaker allegedly pointed a functional firearm at Noohu's face and pulled the trigger with a senior producer witnessing.
Amazon MGM's lawyers have responded by filing a demurrer, calling the suit 'meritless' and claiming that Noohu is an opportunist who timed the complaint to gain leverage before the show's marketing push. The defense team says that if Brubaker had indeed pointed a firearm at Noohu's face, everyone in the room would have reported it.
Noohu was originally hired as a PA on Criminal in February 2023 and claims that he was forced to work in an environment full of 'misconduct' before being banned from the set and not credited on the series. The suit will go to court on October 15.