Inside Edition Execs Accused of Racist, Sexist Comments in Lawsuit

A former producer for the syndicated news program Inside Edition has filed a lawsuit against parent company Paramount Global. The plaintiff, Joshua Bernstein, alleges he was wrongfully terminated after raising concerns about discriminatory behavior within the workplace. The lawsuit details claims of antisemitic, racist, and sexist comments made by senior talent and executives.

Bernstein, who began working at the show in 2019, claims he was fired in 2024 while on medical leave following a medical episode in 2023. The suit asserts that management either made or ignored insensitive remarks and that the show manipulated footage to create misleading safety reports. CBS Media Ventures, the subsidiary that syndicates the program, has denied the allegations, citing an external investigation that found no evidence to support the claims.

The lawsuit centers on claims of a toxic work environment fostered by senior members of the Inside Edition staff. Joshua Bernstein specifically named correspondent Lisa Guerrero as a perpetrator of repeated antisemitic harassment. According to the complaint, Guerrero made derogatory remarks regarding Bernstein's Jewish heritage and his personal life.

Bernstein alleges that Guerrero called him a "whiny Jew," "spoiled Jew," and an "old Jewish woman." The lawsuit further claims that Guerrero questioned how Bernstein could have married a Muslim woman or worked for a "terrorist network" like Al Jazeera. Additionally, Bernstein asserts that Guerrero used homophobic slurs and made "countless other racist and offensive comments" regarding interview subjects and coworkers.

The complaint also targets Charles Lachman, the show's executive producer. Bernstein claims Lachman was known as a "total homophobe" and exhibited bias against Black people and Muslims. One specific incident cited in the lawsuit involves footage of a female graduate student wearing a hijab. Bernstein alleges that when he showed the footage to Lachman, the executive producer responded, "Absolutely not! It looks like she's about to set off a bomb."

Further allegations describe Lachman making sexist remarks regarding female producers. Lawyers for Bernstein wrote in the complaint that Lachman was witnessed screaming at a female producer regarding the appearance of singer Kelly Clarkson. Lachman allegedly stated, "No! No! No! I don't want to see fat and ugly Kelly Clarkson! I want to see Kelly Clarkson in a short skirt!"

Beyond personnel issues, Joshua Bernstein's lawsuit accuses Inside Edition of engaging in "deliberate news distortion." The plaintiff alleges that the program rigged devices to burn and explode to sensationalize segments on consumer safety. These segments reportedly focused on fireworks, e-bike batteries, and gas grills, making the products appear more dangerous than they actually were.

The lawsuit details a specific incident involving an e-bike battery. Bernstein claims that after he discovered an e-bike battery had been rigged to explode, senior investigative producer Charlie McLravy instructed him to "keep [his] mouth shut and don't say anything to the lawyers." Inside Edition is described in the filing as a tabloid-style program that has been running since 1989 and focuses on true crime and celebrity coverage.

Paramount Global and CBS Media Ventures have firmly denied the accusations brought by Bernstein. A spokesperson for the company, Allison McLarty, stated that they are committed to a safe and respectful workplace. Following the initial claim letter, the company retained outside counsel to conduct an investigation.

McLarty noted that the investigation "found no evidence to support these allegations." The company intends to address the matter in court and is committed to vigorously defending against what they describe as fabricated claims. A publicist for Lisa Guerrero, who left the program over the summer, shared a statement from CBS Media Ventures referring to Bernstein's claims as unsubstantiated.

Inside Edition remains a top ratings-getter for CBS Media Ventures, attracting more than 3 million weekly viewers according to Nielsen. The show has undergone recent changes in its on-air talent, with longtime anchor Deborah Norville leaving the program last year and being replaced by Eva Pilgrim. Charles Lachman has served as the executive producer since the late 1990s.

The lawsuit was filed earlier this month, outlining the series of events that led to Joshua Bernstein's termination. Bernstein claims he was fired approximately one year after suffering a medical episode in 2023, while he was still on medical leave. The suit alleges the termination was a direct result of his complaints regarding the discriminatory environment and the alleged news distortion practices.

Representatives for Charles Lachman and Charlie McLravy did not respond to requests for comment regarding the specific allegations. The legal battle is set to determine the validity of Bernstein's claims against the massive media conglomerate Paramount Global.