Tavis Smiley sues PBS over his sexual misconduct firing, says it acted in "a racially hostile manner"

TheWrap

In his lawsuit, Smiley says PBS' sexual misconduct investigation that resulted in his termination was "poorly executed and incomplete." “Based on this incomplete, trumped-up investigation, and in violation of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, PBS decided to use a technical provision in its contract with (Travis Smiley Media) to stop distributing Tavis Smiley – the only nightly television show featuring a person of color as the host," the lawsuit states. The lawsuit also accuses PBS of acting in "a racially hostile manner" throughout the show's run. “For example, PBS harassed Mr. Smiley about inviting controversial African American figures on to his show," according to the lawsuit. "However, when Mr. Smiley brought equally controversial (if not more so) white figures, PBS remained silent." Smiley tells The Washington Post that filing a lawsuit was the last thing he wanted to do. “But litigation seems to be the only way to get at the truth," he said. A PBS spokesperson calls the lawsuit "meritless," saying that Smiley is attempting “to distract the public from his pattern of sexual misconduct in the workplace.”