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Guzman again, disagreed, saying that the statement was an opinion based on its position rather than a statement of facts. Violeta Podrumedic, Brian Whip Paruch, Melissa McGurren and Eric Ferguson. Hes part of Melissas morning show. Melissa McGurren Drops Attempt To Revive Her Defamation Case Against Hubbard. Moving to Chicago was a natural move for her. Heres a fun fact: Shes been writing and creating her own radio shows since she was a little girl of only 8. Melissa McGurren, Eric Ferguson's morning show co-host, on leaving WTMX In a Facebook video posted earlier, McGurren told fans: "Im really sorry that I havent been there. DeNicolo has also filed a separate $10 million defamation lawsuit against Hubbard Radio Chicago. By. We thought wed look into her life and see whats up with her and the fact that shes been gone for months. It acknowledges the existence of plaintiffs pending EEOC claim, does not discuss particular facts, and simply indicates that the station has conducted its own investigations and does not agree with Plaintiffs characterization of events a classic statement of opinion.. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. The suit against Ferguson states that in 2004 she stopped providing oral sex in response to his demands, which he allegedly made by using the code words I need a back rub. She said Ferguson taunted her with the phrase throughout her remaining tenure at the station. Representatives for Hubbard and Ferguson did not respond to requests for comment. Fans arent sure what happened, where she went, and how things are going for her right now, and we are curious ourselves. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. But the remarks in Englands note, which soon after appeared in the press, did not rise to the level of defamation under Illinois state law, according to an order issued Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Ronald Guzman dismissing the case. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. I love Chicago and country music and Ive never been more confident in an opportunity or my team. In response to McGurrens earlier claims, VP/Market Manager Jeff England said in an email to staff that the company thoroughly investigated this matter previously. Bye bye., Ferguson, who was not involved in the negotiations between Mandell and Hubbard, said: "I was surprised and disappointed when I heard the news, but I think it's important to be supportive when someone chooses to do something new in their life.". McGurren, who left the show in late 2020 after 22 years, has said in court filings that Ferguson created an unbearably hostile work environment. In the court filings made public Tuesday, McGurren said that during her 22-year career at The Mix she rose from traffic reporter to show co-host with Ferguson and Brian "Whip" Paruch, who she. Rachel Williamson, regional president and market manager of Audacy Chicago, said the team of McGurren and Huff "will bring energy, positivity, chemistry, and a lot of fun to this fresh and dynamic local show to serve Chicagos country listeners. US99 Chicago Launches New Morning Show - Radio Ink She's a radio host, and she has a huge fan base. In many ways, McGurren's departure was a replay of the drama that unfolded in 2017 when Kathy Hart severed ties with the station after 21 years as Ferguson's co-host. Now, in her defamation suit, McGurren accuses Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. Thank you for all those great messages. "I love Chicago and country music and I've never been more confident in an opportunity or my team. DeNicolo, a former WTMX assistant producer, claims Hubbard defamed her in statements it made to the Chicago Tribune after the newspaper first reported on her original suit against Ferguson. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. Terms of her multiyear deal, negotiated by attorney Steve Mandell, were not disclosed. McGurren accused Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. Drew Walker, an 18-year veteran of US99 who most recently has been hosting mornings, returns to middays from 9 a.m. to noon. Terms of her multiyear deal, negotiated by attorney Steve Mandell, were not disclosed. Third woman accuses radio host Eric Ferguson of inappropriate behavior One Month In, WUSN Chicago's New Morning Team Is Making Itself At Home. Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission was an opinion and therefore did not constitute defamation. At least four women have accused Ferguson of misconduct, which led the host of "Eric In the Morning" to leave the station last October. oh and REINVENTION. Eric in the Morning assistant producer Cynthia DeNicolowho also occasionally worked as a babysitter for Ferguson and his then-wifealso has sued the station, claiming Ferguson used his star power to coerce her into sex acts when she first began working for the station, and, for years after she began refusing his come-ons, taunted her in front of co-workers. :). Overall the station ranked 13th with a 2.6 share and weekly cume of 710,900. McGurren, who claimed the company defamed her when it responded to her harassment charges against former Mix co-host Eric Ferguson, filed an amended appeal July 29 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh District. Melissa McGurren, who spent 22 years with WTMX-101.9-FM and co-hosted the Eric in the Morning with Ferguson, in 2020 filed suit against WTMX owner Hubbard Radio Chicago, claiming an email sent to her former coworkers implied she was lying about alleged abusive behavior by Ferguson. Michael Jackson, for instance, is a huge favorite for her. View the profiles of people named Melissa McGurren. Typically, cohosts will announce if youve been on maternity leave, if you are taking personal time, traveling, whatever. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Hubbard Radios statement that the company thoroughly investigated McGurrens allegations is false, according to McGurrens suit. In court documents filed Oct. 5, McGurren called Ferguson a serial abuser of women and claimed that station management for years has protected Ferguson in allowing him to continue in perpetrating his misconduct that goes far beyond the limits of decency despite ample notice from me and many of my co-workers that Fergusons behavior is unlawful. McGurren went on to say that the long-running morning host has grossly abused his power, and his conduct was the major reason the station became a hostile working environment., Her accusations were submitted as supporting evidence in an amended defamation lawsuit brought by former WTMX Associate Producer Cynthia DeNicolo against Hubbard. In court filings, McGurren said Ferguson demeaned, harassed and ridiculed her when they worked together. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. In his ruling, Gomez cited the legal statute opinions that do not misstate facts are protected by the First Amendment and are non-actionable. (Todd Rosenberg Photography) McGurren was offered a. He calls her the secret weapon, and continues with, theres something unique about her, something super appealing, that is so central to the show, and hes not wrong according to fans. Radio host Eric Ferguson works in the WTMX-FM studio with Melissa McGurren, center, and former co-host Kathy Hart in 2009. . Radio host sells Hinsdale home for less than he paid - Crain's Chicago She did promise her followers back in October that she would reveal him sooner or later, but shes yet to do so. McGurren said she quit the station in 2020 after years of complaining about Fergusons on- and off-air behavior, claims she said were ignored by station executives who sought to protect the popular host. But two weeks later, McGurrens lawyer filed a motion for voluntary dismissal of the appeal. WTMX disc jockey Eric Ferguson speaks to Kaneland Middle School students in 2005. A federal judge this week dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by a former co-host of one of Chicagos top morning drive radio shows over alleged harassment by star Eric Ferguson. The court agrees with Hubbard that the statements have nothing to do with DeNicolos conduct on the job.. Former Eric Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren breaks silence, alleges McGurren had argued that when the station owner made its statement, it knew that Ferguson was a serial abuser of women and that Hubbard knowingly published false information when it said it did not agree with her characterization of events. "The Mix is sad to announce that after 22 years with the station, Melissa McGurren was offered a contract extension which much to our surprise she declined," the statement said. I cant believe Justin Fields and I are moving to Chicago at the same time, especially considering he throws a much tighter spiral than me, Huff was quoted as saying. By November 2019, I could not stand to be in that hostile work environment another day. Read the entire Chicago Tribune article here. A status hearing in DeNicolos lawsuit against Ferguson is scheduled for Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court. Melissa McGurren, who worked for 22 years at the station, filed a $10 million defamation lawsuit against Hubbard Radio Chicago, claiming the company did not perform an investigation or conducted "a sham investigation" of her earlier allegations and that Hubbard attacked her credibility and integrity with comments it made to staff last week, the Chicago radio host Melissa McGurren on Thursday accused her former employer, Hubbard Radio Chicago, of defamation in a new lawsuit that includes fresh allegations that WTMX-FM management . Starting. Melissa McGurren (@melissamcgurren) / Twitter A second female former employee of WTMX-FM has come forward to say longtime on-air host Eric Ferguson engaged in sexually inappropriate conduct, alleging in a Thursday court filing that he groped. A thorough investigation would have uncovered that Jennifer Ashrafi brought many of these same issues, that corroborate Melissas characterization of events, to England in January 2020, months before Melissa filed her charge with the EEOC. Audacy announced a new morning show for US99 (WUSN-FM) in Chicago, welcoming local media veteran Melissa McGurren and Austin Huff as morning show co-hosts. In the midst of her absence, some of her fans have even taken the time to post on social media that the show is no longer any good without her. You have permission to edit this article. McGurren left the station in 2020 and alleged in the lawsuit that the station was intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. "This far-reaching argument finds no support in the law," Guzman wrote in his decision. McGurren and her agent, attorney Steve Mandell, declined requests for comment. I want to just make sure that I wished everybody a happy belated Thanksgiving and I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, and miss you all. DeNicolo was laid off from the station in May 2020 after a nearly 20-year career. Eric Ferguson attends a Rosemont concert in 2015. Former WTMX Morning Co-Host Melissa McGurren Files $10 Million Defamation Lawsuit Against Hubbard. We were disappointed by her decision not to renew her contract, but also know that this year has led all of us to assess our lives in different ways. In the latest Nielsen Audio survey, US99 tied for 15th in mornings with a 2.0 percent share and cumulative weekly audience of 250,800. Eric in the Morning is expected to continue with current contributors Violeta Podrumedic and Brian Whip Paruch and producer John Swany Swanson. The list of flaws with this team are many, but the fact that this Bulls front office thought Russell Westbrook might help them out could be atop that list. McGurren filed her own federal lawsuit against Hubbard shortly afterward. The judges ruling is with prejudice, meaning DeNicolo cannot file an amended complaint. Coldwell Banker Eric Ferguson, the longtime morning show host on WTMX-FM/101.9, sold his Hinsdale mansion for less than he paid for it. Right now, thats a fair assessment. Ferguson's former co-host, Melissa McGurren, filed the $10 million lawsuit last fall. Her coworker, Whip, calls her the secret weapon on their show. McGurren, who left the show in late 2020 after 22 years, has said in court filings that. May 6, 2021. Former WTMX radio host Melissa McGurren's defamation lawsuit dismissed Her writing gained recognition and since 2009, she's written for sites such as What to Expect, Where'd My Sanity Go, and dozens more. Last December Hubbard filed to have DeNicolos suit dismissed and to strike some of the allegations in her second amended complaint. She grew up in Portage, Indiana, which is not too far. Being part of a morning show means shes sharing so much of her life with the people who listen. Its actually good for the game, Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. CHICAGO An Illinois District Court judge on Friday dismissed a $10 million defamation lawsuit by former Chicago radio host Melissa McGurren, who had filed suit against her former employer in . Chicago | Mornings @US99Chicago 6-9am SHOP Melissa's Amazon Favorites link below . We look forward to getting them under oath for questioning.. Feder: US99 hires Melissa McGurren to host mornings - Daily Herald (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free. According to the newspaper, the suit includes a declaration as an exhibit from another former employee, Jennifer Ashrafi, who said she left as the station's afternoon co-host in January, 2020 because she was so "disgusted" by the "misogyny, gender discrimination and hostile work environment that was pervasive" at the station.