Ex-editor files sexual harassment lawsuit against The New York Post
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Former New York Post editor Michelle Gotthelf is suing her former employer and others for sexually harassing her over a long period.
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Ex-N.Y. Post digital chief files lawsuit alleging sexual harassment
Michelle Gotthelf, a former New York Post editor, is suing her former employer, News Corp., and two editors, alleging she was reprimanded after complaining to senior executives about being sexually harassed by retired New York Post-editor-in-chief Col Allan. The New York Post issued a statement in which it denied any wrongdoing.
"I felt that I owed it to myself and I owed it to the news organization and the people who answered to me," Gotthelf, who was a long-time editor at the newspaper, told Axios in an interview. "I have a number of young journalists under me wondering, 'What happened to their editor?'"
The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, claims that Allan approached Gotthelf, his then-direct-report, for sex, saying, "We should sleep together."
According to the complaint, Gotthelf complained to the company's human resources department after receiving prolonged verbal abuse and sexual advances. Mr. Allan was forced to resign, but he was later rehired as a consultant a few years later.
"I was told he was coming back and that I would not have to answer to him and that he would be in an advisory role only and that quickly became a lie," Gotthelf said. "I very quickly realized they were bringing him back to be the boss."
Company allegations
According to the complaint, after she reported the abuse, Gotthelf's responsibilities and authority "were steadily eroded, often in favor of significantly less qualified men." She also claims that the newspaper and its owner, Rupert Murdoch, "did everything in their power to protect Allan's reputation."
Keith Poole was hired as the company's editor-in-chief in early 2021. According to the complaint, Gotthelf told Poole that Allan had propositioned her and was fired two months later after 22 years at the Post.
Gotthelf, who was the New York Post's digital editor in chief at the time, said she hadn't heard from Poole or Allan since filing the lawsuit.
What does this mean?
In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for the New York Post and News Corp. stated, "Any suggestion of wrongdoing related to the management changes announced today is meritless."
"The New York Post's unlawful treatment of its top female editor after 20-plus years of service is nothing short of appalling," said Gotthelf's lawyer Douglas H. Wigdor, adding that "we intend to aggressively move forward with holding the Post accountable and protecting Ms. Gotthelf's rights."
Poole acknowledged in a note to staff on Tuesday that "Michelle Gotthelf has departed The Post, effective January 15," and thanked her for her service. He announced a slowdown in promotions, which included her replacement.
"I think now it's up to them to change their ways," Gotthelf said. "And it goes right to the top of the company."
