In a lengthy story by the New York Times, it's been revealed that Eliza Dushku was paid $9.5 million in a settlement with CBS over claims of sexual harassment on the set of 'Bull', a legal procedural series on the US television studio.
Per the Times piece, Dushku was originally supposed to have a much longer stint of the series than what originally transpired. Dushku's character, a lawyer who worked with the central character played by Michael Wetherly, was supposed to become a series regular. However, when Dushku raised complaints about sexual harassment against her co-star Wetherly, she was then written off the show.
Dushku initially planned to bring a lawsuit against CBS, but then entered into mediation with the television studio where she was eventually offered $9.5 million in order to settle her claims. As part of the mediation process, CBS turned over outtakes from the series to Dushku's legal team in the belief that it'd work against them. The outtakes did show Dushku cursing on set, but it also showed the kind of sexual harassment that Dushku was claiming was happening on set.
Her settlement came to light during an independent investigation into CBS' history of sexual harrassment claims, with the central focus being former CBS CEO Les Moonves. This isn't the first time Dushku has been involved in sexual harassment either. Earlier this year, Dushku penned an open letter earlier this year where she alleged that she was sexually abused on the set of 'True Lies' by a stunt coordinator.
Following the New York Times' piece concerning 'Bull', CBS released a statement both on the settlement Dushku received.
"The allegations in Ms. Dushku’s claims are an example that, while we remain committed to a culture defined by a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace, our work is far from done," the statement read. "The settlement of these claims reflects the projected amount that Ms. Dushku would have received for the balance of her contract as a series regular, and was determined in a mutually agreed upon mediation process at the time."
Wetherly, whom Dushku alleged was sexually harassing her, also made a statement in the piece where he denied having Dushku removed from the series. "It's my recollection that I didn’t tell anyone how they should do their job regarding the hiring or firing of anybody," said Wetherly.
