Amazon Series Criminal Hit with Hostile Work Environment Lawsuit
Ed Brubaker's TV adaptation of his comic series Criminal has been hit with a hostile work environment lawsuit. The complaint, filed by production assistant Ijaaz Noohu, alleges that Brubaker made repeated and pervasive sexual harassment comments and jokes about rape during filming. He also allegedly directed demeaning stereotypes about curry and made comments invoking the 'Tiger Mom' trope.
Noohu claims that Brubaker frequently asked him if he supported Hamas and made jokes about his ethnic background, specifically his Sri Lankan American heritage. The lawsuit also accuses executive producer Phillip Barnett of ignoring Noohu's complaints and telling him to 'la la, I'm not hearing that' when faced with allegations.
Noohu is holding the entire production apparatus responsible for contributing to the hostile work environment, including Amazon and Big Indie Pictures. Brubaker has not publicly responded to the lawsuit, nor has Amazon.