_updates.jpg)
Matt Gutman, CBS News' chief correspondent, has been accused of sexual harassment in a wrongful-termination lawsuit filed by a former co-worker.
Gutman was named in a lawsuit filed by former ABC News field producer Samira Said, who worked in the Los Angeles bureau from May 2021 until March 2025.
Samira Said's claims in the fresh lawsuit
She accused the CBS star, who is helping the network with ratings boost, of making inappropriate sexual remarks.
The lawsuit also alleges that Gutman contributed to a hostile work environment by making "sexualized" comments to her.
According to Said's lawsuit, during her employment at ABC, she was "placed on a male-only team", which included Matt Gutman and two other crew members.
During the assignment, Gutman allegedly discussed a female correspondent's appearance and rating her, with the male crew joining in the disturbing discussion.
On another occasion, according to the lawsuit, during a press day for a film release, Said and Gutman "disagreed about whether the team should leave the work site", and went on to make a sexualized insinuation that Said must have an after-hours date in the city and that this is why she did not want to relocate.
Samira Said alleged wrongful termination
Said, who worked as an ABC News field producer for four years, claims she was wrongfully fired in 2025 after dealing with mental health issues.
She accuses ABC of violating California's Fair Employment and Housing Act by failing to provide accommodations.
According to Said's complaint, in 2022 after she had been assigned to cover events at the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, she "experienced severe psychological symptoms".
After the assignment, Said told her supervisor she needed a short leave to attend to her health, but was denied, according to the suit. A psychiatrist eventually approved medical leave.
Around January 2023, Said's psychiatrist had cleared her to return to work, "subject to reasonable accommodations designed to enable her to perform the essential functions of the position while protecting against re-exposure to trauma triggers."
However, ABC denied her accommodation requests and Said claimed that ABC News' L.A. bureau chief David Herndon "made it clear that unless she returned without restrictions and with full-week availability, she would not be permitted to resume her role".
Later that year, Said injured her foot while covering a weather-related story in the area.
She reported the injury to supervisors but was denied medical leave after being evaluated by a company doctor, the lawsuit claims.
Said is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, along with attorney's fees.
About Matt Gutman
Gutman spent 17 years at ABC News, primarily reporting from Los Angeles, before joining CBS News on January 5, 2026.
He was the first high-profile talent hired by CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss, who took over the division in October 2025.
In addition to reporting for CBS Mornings and CBS Evening News, he serves as a lead correspondent for 48 Hours and will contribute to future seasons of 60 Minutes.
