Actress Files Lawsuit Against Sony and CBS Alleging Sexual Harassment By ‘The Young and the Restless’ Executive Producer Anthony “Tony” Morina

[Errol]

“The Young and the Restless” executive producer Anthony Morina is facing allegations of sexual harassment in a lawsuit filed Thursday, August 19 against producing studio Sony Pictures Television and CBS which airs the top-rated daytime drama series as part of its daytime lineup.

According to Variety, Briana Thomas, a former background actress who appeared on the soap as a barista in 2018 and 2019, alleges that Morina would cozy up to her and give her compliments about her looks, often telling her she could “really be something” on the show. In one instance he allegedly tried to get her to “remove her sarong so that he could see her in a bikini.”

“It’s a tough industry to break into, unless you know someone who can help you,” Morina is quoted in the lawsuit to have told Thomas as he touched her waist and played with her bikini strings during setup for a poolside scene. “Let’s start with a private session and see if we can get you a little more comfortable,” he allegedly told her.

Representing Thomas in her lawsuit is Carney Shegerian, the same lawyer who filed a lawsuit accusing Mike Richards, the new host of “Jeopardy!” and the game show’s executive producer, during his time running “The Price is Right” of discriminating against a pregnant model. Richards denied the allegations.

In her lawsuit, Thomas claims that Morina once complained about having to attend sexual harassment training sessions in the wake of CBS’ investigation into sexual harassment claims brought against then CEO Les Moonves. Morina reportedly called the training sessions “bullshit” and that some “bitches” had “their panties in a bunch” and “didn’t know how to take a compliment.”

If that wasn’t the worst of it, the suit also claims that Morina once referred to a Black actress with short hair, saying, “[she] has a hot body, but it is too bad her head looked like a Chia Pet.”

“I’m the reason why you have a job,” Morina allegedly told Thomas at one point. “I am doing you a favor. I like you. Do you understand what I’m saying?” Thomas was later fired. Her last listed credit on IMDb was an uncredited role as a party guest in the 2018 film “Love Sonia.” 

Variety notes that at press time CBS nor Sony Pictures Television responded to a request for comment about the lawsuit.

Note: The post Actress Files Lawsuit Against Sony and CBS Alleging Sexual Harassment By ‘The Young and the Restless’ Executive Producer Anthony “Tony” Morina appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website.

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