Former ABC News Producer Sues Over Alleged Sexualized Remarks by Matt Gutman
A former field producer has filed a lawsuit claiming Matt Gutman made inappropriate sexual comments and that she was wrongfully terminated after requesting medical accommodations.
A former field producer at ABC News' Los Angeles bureau has sued the network, its parent company Disney, bureau chief David Herndon and chief correspondent Matt Gutman, alleging a hostile work environment and wrongful termination. Samira Said, who worked for the outlet from 2021 to 2025, filed the complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday, asserting that she was denied medical leave and accommodations for her health conditions.
The lawsuit describes two incidents in which Gutman allegedly made demeaning sexual remarks. In one episode, while waiting in a public line, Gutman is said to have led a discussion rating a female correspondent’s appearance, reducing her professional standing to a numerical score based on physical attributes. The other men on the team reportedly continued the assessment, and Gutman allegedly invited Said to comment, which she refused.
A second incident cited in the filing occurred during coverage of a movie press event. According to the complaint, Gutman responded to an argument with Said about leaving the site by insinuating that she must have an “after-hours date in the city,” a comment made in front of multiple coworkers.
The complaint alleges that these remarks degraded Said’s professional judgment and contributed to her termination in 2025. The suit also claims violations of California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act for failing to provide required accommodations.
"The remarks made in front of co-workers were degrading and reduced my professional judgment to a sexualized stereotype," the filing states.
Representatives for Gutman, ABC News and CBS News have not responded to requests for comment.