Yesterday, Cockburn’s colleague Amber Athey wrote a story about Abby Grossberg, the former Tucker Carlson booker suing Carlson, his producers and Fox News due to the sexism, bullying and antisemitism she says she experienced while employed there. Amber’s story confirmed a small but potentially important detail: the fact that Grossberg had never met Carlson in person during her time working for his show.
Diligent hack that she is, Amber approached Grossberg’s law firm for comment, which she received from Kimberly Catala, a lawyer at Filippatos PLLC.
Amber was therefore surprised to receive another email this afternoon, from Parisis G. Filippatos, the firm’s founding partner, with the subject line “‘press’ inquiries from the maga twitersphere” [sic].
As requested by Mr. Filippatos, Cockburn reproduces the email in its entirety below:
“No comment other than to suggest to all of you that you check your sources for accuracy, as they seem to be ill-informed. For example, Abby Grossberg never received a negative performance evaluation while employed at Fox and was never informed that she was being fired until she was actually fired, unlawfully we might add, for filing two lawsuits alleging civil conspiracy, defamation, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation against Fox News, Tucker Carlson, and others. Moreover, she attended two out of three holiday parties available to her in 2022, and the third that she did not attend was also NOT attended by Mr. Carlson either. Oh, by the way, the reason she did not attend that one holiday party is because she was suffering for stomach ulcers, anxiety, and depression caused by the vile and toxic work environment permeated with the misogyny, chauvinism, and sexism that was heralded by Mr. Carlson in writing, and which his brothers in sexist arms carried into Ms. Grossberg’s workplace inspired by, and to emulate and gratify, him. Ms. Grossberg communicated with Mr. Carlson directly on virtually a daily basis by text, email, and phone. Mr. Carlson – we believe — based on representations made to us by the investigator hired by Fox News, Carol Goodman, was told of Ms. Grossberg’s allegations against him and his all-male inner group. Ms Goodman confirmed to us that Ms. Grossberg’s allegations against Mr. Carlson and his male colleagues – if substantiated – would constitute an unlawfully hostile work environment. Sexist, chauvinistic bullies like – we allege – Mr. Carlson and his misogynistic tweedle dee and tweedle dum male colleagues, often will not admit their wrongdoing until compelled to do so under cross examination and the penalties of perjury. As litigators against them, we are committed to reaching this inflection point of truth as soon as possible. Finally, senior male managers engaged in sexist and demeaning behavior – we believe – at the direction, or with consent or support, of Mr. Carlson. Thank you. This comment is provided off the record and under embargo unless reproduced accurately and in full. Be forewarned: if you state to your readers that we provided no comment you’ll be lying, which as “journalists” should be a big no, no for you!”
On the firm’s website, Filippatos promises “Integrity. Intensity. Intelligence.” Cockburn doesn’t doubt the intensity…
